The incident occurred in July 2022 on Highway 30 in Brossard, where his heavy vehicle ploughed into traffic slowed by construction work.
Montreal: A Canadian truck driver of Punjabi origin has admitted responsibility for a devastating road accident that killed a mother and her young son, revealing in court that he was distracted by a mobile game at the time of the crash.
The accused, Baljit Singh, pleaded guilty to charges related to dangerous driving causing death during proceedings in a Quebec court. The incident occurred in July 2022 on Highway 30 in Brossard, where his heavy vehicle ploughed into traffic slowed by construction work.
Court records indicate that Singh was operating a long-haul tractor-trailer when it collided with multiple vehicles, triggering a chain crash. The impact resulted in the deaths of 42-year-old Nancy Lefrançois and her 11-year-old son, Loïc Chevalier. Several others were left seriously injured, while the woman’s husband survived with significant injuries.
Investigators told the court that Singh had been using his phone frequently before the crash and was engaged in a game at the exact moment of impact. He also acknowledged that he had previously engaged in similar risky behavior while driving.
A forensic analysis revealed that the driver had only a fraction of a second to react before the collision, but failed to do so due to his distraction.
Following the accident, Singh initially claimed memory loss but soon left Canada, travelling to India shortly after his hospital discharge. Authorities later issued an international warrant, leading to his arrest in the United States in 2025 and subsequent extradition back to Canada.
The case has raised serious concerns about distracted driving and road safety, particularly involving commercial vehicles. Singh now awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for June 2026, and could face a lengthy prison term.
Officials confirmed that key evidence, including in-vehicle recordings, has been presented in court as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
