Monster pileup in Laval in 2019 | The truck driver guilty of killing four people

(Laval) Sick and declared unfit, Jagmeet Grewal should never have driven a truck on August 5, 2019. His great negligence had consequences that could hardly be more tragic: the death of four people in a monster pileup on Highway 440 in Laval . Found guilty, the driver risks an imposing prison sentence.

In a crowded courtroom at the Laval courthouse, the 57-year-old man was found guilty Friday of having caused the deaths through his criminal negligence of Gilles Marsolais, Michèle Bernier, Sylvain Pouliot and Robert Tanguay-Laplante. He is also guilty of injuring four other people. The trial began in the fall of 2022.

On August 5, 2019, Jagmeet Grewal never braked his truck. However, the road conditions were ideal. The truck driver should easily have seen, in the distance, the start of a traffic jam. However, he did not react during those fateful 10 seconds. His truck then turned into a powerful projectile, causing carnage on the highway.

“It was easily avoidable. […] He had no attention on the road. Had he looked, there is no doubt he would have seen the traffic ahead. This is highly reprehensible,” concluded Judge Laramée, emphasizing the accused’s “contempt” for people’s safety.

At this time, Jagmeet Grewal suffered from significant physical and psychological limitations. His type 2 diabetes was completely out of control, since the accused was not taking his medication properly. This disease can cause vision problems.

“He nevertheless chose to get behind the wheel, even if he should not have done so,” argued judge Yanick Laramée.

“It was grossly negligent on his part. It was objectively dangerous to drive with such incapacity. How can we be safe on the road when a man is driving a heavy truck loaded with goods, when he has a disability that renders him unfit? », Launched the judge.

In addition, he suffered from post-traumatic shock since an accident in 2012 and was declared “permanently” unfit to drive a truck. Moreover, he was even receiving income compensation at the time of the tragedy. However, Jagmeet Grewal had regained his license thanks to an “error” from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

On this subject, Judge Laramée maintains that “this is not the SAAQ’s trial.” “The Court does not have to study their faults,” she concludes.

Additionally, Jagmeet Grewal lied on his employment form in order to be rehired as a truck driver. According to the judge, the accused knew then that if he had answered honestly, he would not have been hired as a professional truck driver.

“Mr. Grewal intentionally and deliberately, and for his own benefit, withheld information in order to continue driving a truck. It shows that he had no consideration for the safety of others and that he was ready to do anything to drive a truck even if he was physically or psychologically incapable of doing so,” concluded Judge Laramée.

Jean-Pierre Girard is the uncle of Robert Tanguay-Laplante, one of the victims. He does not mince his words regarding the offender: “He should be sentenced for life,” he said in the press scrum.

“This gentleman should never have been on the road, I don’t know how the SAAQ was able to give this gentleman a license. I am a truck driver myself. You have to be capable of everything, in all situations,” declared Mr. Girard.

However, the uncle said he was “very happy” with the guilty verdict. “Yes, it helps a little, but we think about our nephew all the time. It helps the mourning,” he concluded.

At trial, Mr. Grewal’s lawyer, Mr.^e Philippe Knerr tried several defenses, for example by blaming the SAAQ or claiming that the accused had tried to stop at the fateful moment. However, the judge rejected them all, also highlighting the numerous lies of the accused.

Observations on the sentence are scheduled for May 21.

“Given the judge’s rather shattering conclusions. I don’t need to tell you that a severe sentence is going to be sought,” Crown prosecutor M.^e Simon Blais, who teamed up with M^e Alexis Marcotte-Bélanger and M^e Lyly-Anne Ratelle.