68-year-old driver turns himself in while one man fights for his life
Two flagmen working at a roadwork site in Montreal's Pointe-Aux-Trembles borough sustained injuries on Wednesday night in a hit-and-run incident, with one of them currently in critical condition.
Montreal police (SPVM) have gathered witness accounts indicating that a vehicle entered the cordoned-off roadwork area at approximately 10:20 p.m., striking the workers before swiftly fleeing the scene.
According to CTV News, both flagmen are 39-years-old, and one of them is currently battling for his life in the hospital, while the other suffered minor injuries.
The collision took place near the intersection of Industriel and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard.
On Friday police issued a news release saying a 68-year-old man had turned himself in, was arrested and interrogated, but was released without being charged. But police say the investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident is still ongoing.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante expressed her concerns about the incident on Twitter, stating, "The construction workers on our roads do important work in conditions that are not always easy. Impatience or recklessness towards them has no place, and they deserve our full respect, no matter the detours required."
At this time, the SPVM has not confirmed whether the hit-and-run is being investigated as a case of road rage.
Road work safety campaigns were launched in many jurisdictions in the spring, as construction projects ramped up. And in Ontario, it was just announced that an inquest will be held into the deaths of three construction workers, all killed in separate roadside incidents.
