A 42-year-old driver from Abitibi-Témiscamingue will still be confined to a hospital bed for the holiday season, more than 4 months after being hit head-on by a motorist suspected of having been intoxicated by alcohol.
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“The message is not harsh [à comprendre]. Car keys don’t go well with alcohol or drugs, just like cell phones while driving,” summarizes in an interview with Newspaper Daniel Garneau, Karine Pépin’s husband.
He delivers a touching cry from the heart at a time when many Quebecers are preparing to celebrate at their office parties.
This is because his partner’s life turned upside down late one afternoon last August, in the small municipality of Palmarolle, near La Sarre.
Karine Pépin was waiting for the right moment to turn into the entrance of her residence when a 20-year-old woman allegedly hit her from behind at full speed.
The damage suffered by Karine Pépin’s vehicle demonstrates the violence of the impact.
Photo provided by Daniel Garneau
M’s vehicleme Pépin was thrown in the opposite direction, leading to a collision with a third motorist.
A total of six people were taken to hospital. The authorities considered that the lives of none of them were in danger.
Several ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Photo provided by Daniel Garneau
Possible accusations
The young driver who allegedly caused the collisions was arrested, then released.
It is possible that criminal charges will be filed against her, while alcohol could have been a “contributing factor” in the event, indicated the Sûreté du Québec.
Again this weekend, the results of a blood sample were still awaited.
“I was really shocked,” says Daniel Garneau, 49 years old. We were two people fighting to build something. From one day to the next, it hit us in the face.”
Karine Pépin and Daniel Garneau
Photo provided by Daniel Garneau
Complications
After the tragedy, the state of health of Mme Pépin, described as a hard worker, took a turn for the worse.
A significant portion of his intestines were removed due to his injuries. She also suffered strokes during her hospitalization.
“The right side [de son corps] is completely affected for its movements, and the left side, its sensations. Let’s say she puts her hands in hot water, it’s hot from the right, but from the left, she doesn’t feel anything,” summarizes Daniel Garneau.
Karine Pépin has been hospitalized for 4 months now.
Photo provided by Daniel Garneau
That’s not all. In addition to having diminished vision, Karine Pépin has difficulty speaking, as her vocal cords have been damaged. She is, among other things, fed intravenously and needs help getting out of bed.
“It’s going to change his life forever. It will never be the same again,” whispers Mr. Garneau on the other end of the line.
Domino effect
The sad event put the couple’s life on hold. Together for nine years, they had to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in intensive care.
Karine Pépin and Daniel Garneau, during their wedding, in the summer of 2022.
Photo provided by Daniel Garneau
Daniel Garneau has still not set foot back home in Palmarolle, being constantly at his partner’s bedside in a Montreal hospital.
During this time, he fears, among other things, for his forestry business.
“My two sons who work for me are trying to keep the company alive, but it is slowly going under,” says the man who launched a fundraising campaign to “get through it”. I’m self-employed, so if I screw up, I lose everything. We lose everything.”