A driver who caused a fatal collision while driving three times the permitted limit with a suspended license in Terrebonne in 2021 receives four years and eight months in prison.
On August 18, 2021, around 3 a.m., police officers parked in the parking lot of a big box store on Laurier Boulevard, in Terrebonne, heard a vehicle that appeared to be traveling at high speed. They therefore headed towards the source of the noise in order to locate the vehicle.
The driver of the Mazda 5, Michael St-Denis Vaudry, continued his race until he hit André Lavergne’s vehicle at high speed in the middle of an intersection. The 55-year-old father was beginning to turn to the left after making his obligatory stop.
The vehicle of André Lavergne, killed during a fatal collision in Terrebonne on August 18, 2021.
Photo filed in court
A few meters before the collision, the 34-year-old motorist was driving at an estimated speed of 148 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
“The intrusion of the Mazda 5 into the passenger compartment of the Mitsubishi [d’André Lavergne] is of such magnitude that it causes major deformation of the bodywork as well as a movement of the steering wheel towards the front passenger side door,” we can read in the joint summary of facts, filed in December 2022.
He then pleaded guilty at the Laval courthouse to a charge of criminal negligence causing death.
Seriously injured victim
The victim’s car was found embedded in the fence and shed of a residence, 75 meters from the point of impact.
The death of Mr. Lavergne, who had suffered numerous fractures during the impact, was pronounced in hospital a few hours later.
“It’s hard to swallow all at once, it seems like a bad joke or a story that you just hear on the news,” recalled the victim’s son, Jeyson Lavergne, during a hearing last month .
The accused’s vehicle was located by the police, climbed onto a cement block, and the front was completely demolished.
Pascal Girard/AGENCE QMI
During his interrogation, St-Denis Vaudry admitted to not having a valid license due to unpaid fines.
Methamphetamine was found in his vehicle. He admitted to “using speeds to help him function.”
Takeover
Following the accusations, St-Denis Vaudry completed six months of closed therapy to help him with his drug addiction. He has not used synthetic drugs since.
However, he was caught last February with hashish when he entered the Laval courthouse. He has since been detained.
Screenshot TVA News
“I hope you take responsibility for your actions. My father is dead and you are still lucky to be alive. What are you going to do with that?” Jeyson Lavergne then mentioned, looking at St-Denis Vaudry in the dock.
The accused’s lawyer, Mr.e Robert Fragasso, wanted to underline the “introspective work” carried out by his client in the last month, specifying that he was “confident that detention will allow this work to be completed”.
St-Denis Vaudry has a history of mischief, receiving stolen property, theft and obstruction.