Mass held to honour victims in Quebec town where pedestrians were struck by truck
Hundreds of people gathered Friday evening for a special mass in Amqui, Que., a town where two people were killed and nine injured when a pickup truck crashed into pedestrians.
Inside the Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre church, people greeted and hugged each other before the memorial mass presided over by Archbishop Denis Grondin began in memory of the victims and to support the tight-knit community that was left reeling by the tragedy.
Gérald Charest and Jean Lafrenière died after being struck on Monday afternoon.
"I want to welcome the family members directly or indirectly affected by the attack," Grondin said at the start of the mass. He then thanked the politicians present for their support, including federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez.
Amqui Mayor Sylvie Blanchette went to the pulpit and spoke about the victims.
"Amqui residents are dynamic and cheerful people that are always ready to help others. These qualities perfectly represent Gérald and Jean, who left us on Monday," Blanchette said.
The mayor thanked the first responders and everyone who helped the injured after the crash.
"We are all here to give hope to those who need it. Amqui, you are beautiful. You are dynamic. You are shaped by great people, and we will continue to thrive, laugh and live despite this sad event," Blanchette said.
"Let us be strong, and let us be proud. We will never forget March 13, 2023, but we will always be one big family,"
After the mass, people were invited to meet at Pierre-et-Maurice-Gagné park in Amqui, where a commemorative event was held.
Police have said those injured in the crash range in age from less than a year old to 77. On Thursday, a Quebec City hospital said two injured adults remained in critical condition.
A candlelight vigil was held in front of the church Thursday evening in the community about 350 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.
Steeve Gagnon, 38, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and prosecutors have said more charges will follow.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
- With files from Sidhartha Banerjee.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian comedian, talk show host Mike Bullard dead at 67
Canadian stand-up comedian and former talk show host Mike Bullard has died.
Thousands of miles from home, Trudeau learns of dissension in his caucus
The free trade agreement with ASEAN is expected to be signed at the end of 2025. If Trudeau is pressured to step down, or if his government falls and loses the next election, Trudeau will not, as prime minister, be there to see the fruits of his labour.
Should men and women eat different breakfasts? Study suggests they should
The study, which uses a mathematical model, indicates that men and women may benefit from different breakfast choices to optimize metabolism and potentially aid weight management.
Here's the dirt on the germiest items in your day-to-day life
Your home – considered to be one of the safest havens from all the external stresses – is filthy.
Man charged after dead body found inside east Toronto apartment
Police have arrested and charged a 52-year-old man who wanted after failing to notify authorities about a dead person inside an apartment in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.
Emaciated orca calf spotted off Vancouver Island, researchers say
Just a couple of weeks after a new southern resident killer whale calf was first seen, its health appears to have taken a bad turn.
Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna dies in Russian detention, Kyiv says
Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who went missing in an occupied part of her country, died in Russian detention last month, Ukrainian authorities said earlier this week.
Trump suggests a protester may get 'the hell knocked out of her' by her parents
Former U.S. president Donald Trump called for a protester at one of his rallies to 'go back home to Mommy' to 'get the hell knocked out of her,' his latest instance of using violent language when confronted by demonstrators.
Israel says 4 soldiers killed by Hezbollah drone attack while Israeli strike in Gaza leaves 20 dead
A Hezbollah drone attack on an army base in central Israel killed four soldiers and severely wounded seven others Sunday, the military said, in the deadliest strike by the militant group since Israel launched its ground invasion of Lebanon nearly two weeks ago.