The quiet town of Notre-Dame-du-Laus in Quebec’s Laurentian region became the site of unimaginable grief this weekend after a devastating collision claimed the lives of four people, including three children. The crash, which occurred Friday evening on Route 309, has left the tight-knit community reeling and renewed calls for improved road safety measures across the province.
According to the Sûreté du Québec, the two-vehicle collision happened around 5:30 p.m. when a northbound vehicle collided with a southbound vehicle for reasons still under investigation. Emergency crews arrived to find victims with critical injuries, but despite their efforts, four people were pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s the kind of news that shakes you to your core,” said Michel Duperron, a volunteer firefighter who lives near the crash site. “When you realize children are involved, it hits differently. The whole community feels this loss.”
The victims included a 35-year-old man and three children aged four, six, and nine. Police have not yet released their identities pending notification of extended family members. Three other individuals suffered serious injuries and were transported to hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
What makes this tragedy particularly jarring is the timing. The crash occurred at the beginning of Quebec’s construction holiday period, when many families travel to vacation destinations. Route 309, which connects Mont-Laurier to Gatineau, sees significantly increased traffic during summer months.
“This stretch of highway has been a concern for years,” noted Francine Asselin-Bélisle, Mayor of Notre-Dame-du-Laus. “We’ve petitioned the transport ministry repeatedly for safety improvements, particularly during high tourism seasons when our population nearly doubles.”
Data from Transport Quebec shows the Laurentians region has experienced a troubling increase in serious collisions over the past three years. Last summer alone, the region recorded 12 fatal crashes, a 30 percent increase from the previous year.
Provincial police spokesperson Marc Tessier confirmed that investigators are examining multiple factors, including speed, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance. “We’re being extremely thorough in our investigation to understand exactly what happened and why,” Tessier told reporters at the scene.
The tragedy has sparked renewed debate about rural road safety across Quebec. The Coalition Avenir Québec government had promised increased highway patrols and infrastructure improvements following a series of fatal crashes last year, but critics argue implementation has been too slow.
“These aren’t just statistics – they’re families torn apart,” said road safety advocate Julie Marchand, whose organization campaigns for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. “Every summer we hear the same promises, but rural communities like Notre-Dame-du-Laus continue waiting for meaningful change.”
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault expressed her condolences through social media, calling the incident “heartbreaking” and promising a thorough review once investigators complete their work. “The loss of young lives is a tragedy beyond words,” Guilbault wrote. “We must determine what happened and take necessary steps to prevent such crashes.”
Community members have organized a vigil for Monday evening at the local community center. Meanwhile, crisis counselors have been made available at Notre-Dame-du-Laus elementary school to support classmates and friends of the children who died.
“You never imagine something like this happening in your community,” said school principal Marie-Claude Thibault. “These children were bright lights in our school. Their desks will be empty, but their memories will remain with us forever.”
For residents of Notre-Dame-du-Laus, a community of just over 1,500 people, the tragedy feels intensely personal. Local restaurants and businesses have placed memorial candles in their windows, and many have contributed to a fund established to support the affected families.
As Quebec’s construction holiday continues, police are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution on highways throughout the province. The investigation into Friday’s collision is expected to continue for several weeks, with reconstruction specialists working to establish a precise timeline of events.
“Nothing will bring these precious lives back,” said parish priest Father Jean-Claude Mbuyi, who is helping coordinate community support efforts. “But perhaps their memory can inspire the changes needed to prevent another family from experiencing such devastating loss.”
The crash stands as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change on Quebec’s highways and the ongoing need for vigilance behind the wheel – especially during the busiest travel season of the year.
