Police finally speak to driver in Laval daycare car crash

LAVAL – A three-year-old girl is recovering in hospital and two others who were injured are resting at home following Tuesday’s car crash at a Laval daycare.

Police have finally questioned the 80-year-old woman who was behind the wheel when she drove through the daycare’s front window and into the room where 10 children were sleeping.

A surveillance video confirms the woman’s version that she was driving westbound on Saint-Martin boulevard when she tried to turn into the strip mall’s parking lot. Police believe she mistook the gas for the brake pedal and investigators have asked the SAAQ for a license review, meaning the woman will now have to undergo a medical exam and driving test. According to Laval police, it’s unlikely that she will face criminal charges.

“For charges you basically have to prove intention of going through the window and I don’t think that’s the case,” said constable Frank Di Genova.

The owner of Garderie Face à Face is still in shock over what happened on Tuesday. But she’s also amazing by how quickly people reacted.

“Everything happened very fast, people came in to help, they lifted the car- the nice people- and I went under and helped take the kids out. I did the best that I could in that situation,” said Christina Strigas.

Only two children were back at the daycare on Wednesday, they’re staying at a neighbouring daycare down the street, the same place that took them in after the accident.

“We relocated all the children in my daycare over here there were 27 children. But the children weren’t aware what was going on, we told them it was some kind of a field trip coming and seeing another daycare,” said Maria Trimarco, owner of Garderie Apprendre et Apprécié.

It’s not the first time a car plowed through the front window of a daycare. A similar incident happened at Garderie Le Ponceau in Rivière-des-Prairies, on February 18. Luckily in that case, no one was injured. But some daycare operators with store-front windows are starting to re-think safety measures.

“I called all my staff last night and told them we’ll park our 12 cars in front from now on,” said Trimarco, who added that she’s considering installing pillars or cement blocks to beef up safety.

The vehicle has been seized and will be inspected later this week to rule out mechanical problems. Meanwhile, the daycare is expected to be re-open next week. Once the brake marks, broken glass and blood stains are removed.

“It’s heartbreaking” said Strigas, “but I’m just so relieved that the children are ok.”