A second officer with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) was relieved of his duties Sunday, in connection with a massive traffic jam on Montreal’s Highway 13 during a major snowstorm Tuesday night.
Hundreds of motorists were stranded on the highway overnight, highlighting the lack of coordinated response.
READ MORE: Massive pileup on Highway 13 strands hundreds of drivers overnight
Some motorists told Global News they were trapped on the road for more than 12 hours.
The two officers — a lieutenant and a captain –have been reassigned to desk duty, pending the results of an internal investigation. Disciplinary action could follow.
READ MORE: Quebec opposition parties call for transport minister’s resignation after Highway 13 pile-up
On Saturday, the SQ arrested a 57-year-old Laval truck driver who allegedly refused to have his truck towed during the traffic jam, thus hampering rescue efforts.
He faces possible charges of criminal mischief.
The government has also launched its own inquiry into the matter.
–With files from the Canadian Press