Trial begins for trucker accused in deadly crash that killed 4 on Laval highway
The trial started Thursday for a truck driver involved in a crash that killed four people on highway 440 three years ago.
The prosecution is focusing on the trucker's mental health and the warning signs over the years.
The crash took place on a sunny, clear day on Aug. 5, 2019, on the highway in Laval when the truck failed to stop and rear-ended several cars at 100 km/h
The driver, Jagmeet Grewal, was arrested and charged with criminal negligence causing death.
In its opening statement, the prosecution said it would base its case on the fact the Grewal should never have been driving a truck in the first place because his trucker permit had been revoked.
The accused lost his Class-1 licence in 2014 after he was involved in a major collision two years earlier. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The prosecution argued in court Thursday that Grewal fought tooth and nail to get his licence back, but it was permanently revoked in 2018 and he took a disability pension.
Yet, later that same year, Grewal tried again to retrieve his licence. The prosecution claimed Quebec's automobile insurance board, the SAAQ, gave it back to him.
It was a clerical error that would have lethal consequences a year later.
An expert working for the SAAQ testified that in 2016, she determined there was no chance Grewal's condition would improve.
A psychiatrist who treated him in 2017 also testified that Grewal's level of anxiety, depression and stress, as well as other psychological issues, made him unfit for any kind of work.
For the relatives of the victims, it's a painful trial that they say reminds them that this tragedy could have been prevented.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.