New information leads Quebec police watchdog to investigate fatal car crash

Quebec’s police watchdog has launched an investigation into a fatal car crash after a vehicle allegedly attempted to flee police in early August. The crash occurred on August 5th in Laval, north of Montreal, resulting in the deaths of the driver and one of the two passengers. Initially, the watchdog decided not to investigate the incident, but new information led them to change their decision.

Both passengers were reportedly 19 years old. Laval police stated that officers tried to stop the car due to it lacking a license plate, but later said they abandoned their chase when the vehicle accelerated dramatically. The driver lost control and crashed into a fitness center. While the watchdog typically launches investigations shortly after an incident involving police, Comtois noted that investigations can occur weeks or months later if new information emerges, as is the case with this incident.