Fatal Crash Shuts Down Highway 20 Near Saint-Hyacinthe
Early Tuesday morning, a deadly accident brought traffic to a standstill on Highway 20 eastbound, near Saint-Hyacinthe. Around 6:30 a.m., a car carrying four people collided with the trailer of a heavy truck. According to preliminary reports from the Sûreté du Québec, the impact caused the driver of the car to lose control. The vehicle rolled over multiple times before coming to a stop, leaving behind a devastating scene.
One of the passengers, a man whose age and residence have not been disclosed, was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead. The three other occupants of the car sustained injuries of varying degrees. Fortunately, their lives are not considered to be in danger.
The truck driver involved in the collision did not remain at the scene. Instead, the vehicle continued on for nearly 150 kilometers before being intercepted by police near Laurier-Station. Authorities are treating the incident as a potential hit-and-run, and investigators are now working to piece together the exact circumstances. As the SQ spokesperson Louis-Philippe Ruel explained, the next few hours and days will be crucial in determining how this tragedy unfolded.
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In response to the accident, Highway 20 eastbound was completely shut down around 7:30 a.m., close to Route 224. Traffic was rerouted onto local roads, but the closure added heavy pressure to an already strained regional network. Drivers had little relief, as congestion built up quickly in the morning rush.
This latest closure comes on top of another major traffic issue in the region. Since Sunday morning, Highway 40 westbound between Berthierville and Lanoraie has also been closed due to the collapse of a culvert. While a contraflow lane has now been opened to ease circulation, the Ministry of Transport has warned drivers that delays and congestion are to be expected.
For those traveling between Trois-Rivières and Montréal, officials are still recommending Highway 20 as the preferred route despite the disruption. But with both major highways affected, many commuters found themselves caught in long, frustrating detours.
The Saint-Hyacinthe accident has not only left a family grieving but has also raised serious questions about road safety and accountability. A passenger lost his life in a matter of minutes, others were injured, and countless drivers had their routines disrupted. Investigators will now focus on whether the truck driver was aware of the collision at the time, and what role negligence or recklessness may have played.
For now, the eastbound lanes of Highway 20 remain closed for an undetermined period. Police are continuing their investigation at the site, while transportation authorities monitor traffic conditions and attempt to keep vehicles moving on alternative routes.
This tragic event is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can change on the road, and how important it is for every driver—whether behind the wheel of a car or a massive truck—to stay alert, responsible, and prepared for the unexpected.
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