A 25-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and driving under the influence after plowing through a family home in St. Alexis Sunday, killing one woman.

Anthony Belanger of Ste. Julienne is facing the charges after a car smashed through the bedroom of a family home in the rural community 60 kilometres north of Montreal, killing a mother of three. Her partner, the children’s father, was also seriously injured.

Surete du Quebec said the driver lost control of his vehicle and it ran into the bedroom of the home, driving all the way into the couple's bedroom -- far enough into the house that it wasn’t visible from the street.

Tests were performed to determine his blood alcohol level and how fast the car was going when it crashed, said an SQ spokesperson.

The house sits on a stretch of road that is straight, and the distance between houses is considerable.

The couple's three children, boys aged about 4, 11 and 13, weren't hurt. It appears the youngest boy was lucky, however – he slept that night in his brothers’ room, and not in his parents’ room as he usually does.

Members of the tight-knit community of 1,400 people gathered at the home Monday to grieve the loss of Rachael Middleton, who was in her mid-30s.

“You're at home, you think you're safe and sound, and then this,” said St. Alexis Mayor Robert Perreault. “It travelled almost through the house. It’s unimaginable.”

Middleton was very loving and adored her three children, said long-time friend and neighbour Clement Allard.

“My wife was close friends with Rachel, who supported us a great deal,” he added.

The father of the family, Joel Ricard, underwent surgery Sunday night. He is in serious condition but is expected to survive.

The local school board has sent a psychologist to the school to help the students with the news.

“Our sympathies are with the family,” said Perrault.

 

— Maya Johnson (@MJohnsonCTV) October 26, 2014