Fatal crash on Highway 221 in Napierville leaves 3 dead, 1 critical

MONTREAL – A head-on collision in St-Cyprien-de-Napierville, about 55km south of Montreal, has left three people dead and one in critical condition.

The accident happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday on Highway 221, between Third and Fourth Line roads.

Police say the crash occurred when a driver lost control of his car as he was trying to pass another car in the right lane and hit a car travelling in the opposite direction. All three occupants of that car were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

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The driver of the other car, a 32-year-old man from Chateauguay, remains in hospital in critical condition.

There were no injuries reported for a third vehicle that was unable to stop and crashed into the wreck ahead.

Sergeant Ronald McInnis of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) told Global News that the passing maneuver was not necessarily illegal, as the road briefly widens to two lanes allowing drivers to turn without slowing traffic.

Police believe speed may have been a factor in the crash. Charges are pending.