New information leads Quebec police watchdog to investigate fatal car crash

Quebec’s police watchdog has launched an investigation into a fatal car crash that occurred in Laval, north of Montreal, in early August. The vehicle involved in the incident is alleged to have attempted to flee police. The driver and one of the two passengers died when their car crashed into a gym. Initially, the watchdog decided not to investigate the incident, but new information led them to reverse that decision on Thursday.

The driver's age is not disclosed, but both passengers were 19 years old. Laval police previously stated that officers tried to stop the car due to the lack of a license plate, and later abandoned the chase when the vehicle accelerated abruptly. Eventually, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the crash. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes typically initiates investigations soon after an incident involving police, but new information can lead to investigations being launched weeks or months afterward.

Comtois mentioned that their approach to launching investigations varies depending on the situation.