A small city in Quebec, Canada, has been left reeling after a shocking incident led to the deaths of two young children. According to reports, a city bus driver allegedly "rammed" his vehicle into the front entrance of a local daycare on Wednesday just as morning drop-off was taking place. The driver is now facing multiple charges, as investigators work to determine what exactly happened and why.
The crash took place in Laval, just north of Montreal
Sometime around 8:30 am, a city bus with the Société de Transport de Laval (STL) came barreling toward the Garderie Éducative de Sainte-Rose, which sits in a quiet cul-de-sac.
Moments later, multiple children were either struck by the bus or pinned underneath it, as horrified onlookers rushed in to help.
The bus driver allegedly exited the vehicle just seconds after the crash
But instead of trying to help the victims, witnesses say the driver began removing his clothes and acting erratically.
"It was a nightmare," Hamdi Ben Chaabane told CBC News. "It's horrible. He didn't stop yelling. He wasn't saying words."
According to CBC, a group of parents and other onlookers were ultimately able to subdue the driver who was later identified as 51-year-old Pierre Ny St-Amand. Many also came to the aid of the young victims, several of whom were still pinned beneath the bus.
A total of eight children were hurt in the crash
“We have six kids that have been transported into different hospitals in Montreal and Laval, but unfortunately we have two other kids that died as a result of the accident,” said Erika Landry, a spokesperson for the police in Laval.
All of the victims were preschool age.
Once police arrived on the scene, St-Amand was taken into custody
The driver, who worked for the city transport system for nearly a decade, now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm, the BBC reports.
St-Amand later made a brief court appearance that he attended virtually while lying in a hospital bed in Montreal. Though he refused to speak, a judge ordered the man to undergo a full psychiatric evaluation.
The community is now coming together to mourn the young victims
Dozens of Laval residents have visited the site of the crash since Wednesday, leaving flowers, teddy bears, and even letters, according to CityNews.
"I just don't understand how can this happen," said Lizon Blanchard, who was just one of many residents who came to pay her respects.
A crisis center has also been set up to aid parents and family members who've been affected by the tragedy.
Throughout Canada, several signs of solidarity were displayed. Government buildings lowered their flags to half-staff, lights were turned out, and even the House of Commons held a moment of silence for the young victims.
"When you leave your children at the daycare for the day, you know that they're in good hands," Quebec's Families Minister Suzanne Roy told reporters on Wednesday. "When an event like that can happen, it shakes us and shatters us."
