Motorists had the fear of their lives while traveling on Lawrence Road Friday evening. Many vehicles were crushed with blocks of ice and rocks that did not come out of nowhere.
The drivers involved were traveling southbound near Victoria Park. The main damage was caused by the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) which was thrown in the opposite direction.
Félix Archambault returning from a beautiful evening at Igloofest Quebec with two friends. He was driving a brand new BMW M340 car when a “gunshot” hit the sunroof around 11:15 am
Photo credit: Felix Archambault
It broke and a huge piece of ice landed on the knees of the passenger who was sitting in the back. Other projectiles broke through his shield and tore through the mirrors.
“At the time, I didn’t want to panic because there were cars all around me. It would have clearly been a pile if I had done it any other way.
The operator of the snow removal equipment did not see what was going on on the other side when the snow accumulation “about 10 feet high” prevented him from doing so.
Photo credit: Felix Archambault
I was shocked
Immediately after the event, Mr. Archambault requested the nearest Sûreté du Québec station to file a complaint. “When I arrived, I realized that I was followed by several others. Some cars were still much older than mine,” he said.
A taxi following his car showed up at the police station with the hood undone and a huge dent in his windshield. Other angry drivers also passed the police.
“Everyone was shocked, it was so unexpected. Rocks and pieces of ice began to fall from the sky,” continues Felix Archambault. The 20-year-old says “I’m afraid to get back behind the wheel” when the incident.
Photo credit: Felix Archambault
A constant search
The spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Stéphane Tremblay, confirms that “files were opened for material damage of more than $2,000 between 10 am and 1 am, on the night of March 3 to 4”.
SQ also contacted the Ministry of Transport to clarify the situation. The police force has released security photographs of the area where the incident took place.
Contacted by Le Journal on Sunday afternoon, MTQ declined to comment on the nature of the events. “If people believe they have suffered material damage due to the fault of the ministry, they can go to our website to request compensation,” said MTQ spokesman Louis-André Bertrand.
Photo credit: Felix Archambault
More to fear than harm
Even though he and his companions are approaching disaster, Felix Archambault considers himself “happy in his disaster.” “We have a few cuts from the glass shell, but it could have been a lot worse.”
The injured driver takes comfort in the fact that the damage is only material. “The roof, seats and sunroof can be replaced. On the other hand, it’s frustrating because my insurance premium will increase for something that I had no way of preventing or avoiding.
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