Montreal North collision: Driver dead after being assaulted by witness, police say

SPVM police vehicles are seen in Montreal, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

A 67-year-old man has died after he was involved in a physical altercation following a collision with a pedestrian in Montreal North on Tuesday morning.

According to Montreal police (SPVM), a 911 call at 11:15 a.m. alerted officers to a collision near the corner of Gouin Boulevard East and Garon Avenue.

The driver hit a male pedestrian on Gouin Boulevard, and a conflict ensued when a witness, who was apparently involved in a road rage incident with the victim minutes prior, became involved, said Manuel Couture, a police spokesperson.

The confrontation then degenerated, according to police.

“During the altercation, the driver became injured and was lying on the ground when the first officers arrived,” Couture said.

He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

The pedestrian’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The suspect, a 35-year-old man, was arrested and taken in for questioning.

Police are trying to establish the circumstances of the incident, and to determine whether the death was the result of manslaughter, self-defence or a health issue.

With files from The Canadian Press.