CTV News Montreal

Updated: Thu Sep. 03 2009 4:36:34 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

A Montreal truck driver was killed Thursday morning when his tractor-trailer veered off Highway 40 and plunged into Lake of Two Mountains.

According to SQ Sgt. Joyce Kemp, police are examining the theory that 48-year-old Sylvain Brunet fell asleep at the wheel.

"We don't know yet what caused the loss of control," said Kemp.

Witnesses told police the truck started drifting to the right at it approached the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge in Vaudreuil-Dorion at 5:20 in the morning

The truck crashed through the guardrail at the start of the bridge and then careened down the embankment into the lake.

The trailer was torn loose, while the cab smashed into a concrete support at the base of the bridge then burst into flames.

Police closed the bridge, and it took nearly three hours for Sûreté du Québec officers to find the driver.

Traffic was closed in both directions on the bridge, with westbound lanes re-opening at 6:30 a.m., and two eastbound lanes opening shortly after.

However the damage was done, and the closures left traffic snarled for much of the day.

Complicated removal

Hauling away the wreckage from the truck crash is complicated because the ground by the lake is so soft.

Glen Comeau of West Island Towing is one of the people building a temporary gravel road to support the weight of heavy equipment.

"We will slide the trailer up onto dry ground, unload the load into containers, up-right the trailer and get both units out ," said Comeau.

Trucking regulations

Given the theory that Brunet fell asleep while driving, Quebec Trucking Association president Marc Cadieux says driver hours are closely monitored to make sure they stay alert behind the wheel.

"There's no reason in today's ways of working that you should push your driver more than the allowed hours by law," said Cadieux.

Truck drivers are allowed to work for a maximum of 13 hours a day, with a mandatory two hours in breaks.

They must have eight hours between shifts, and trucks that operate in Quebec are now restricted to 105 km/h.

"It seems to have helped with the trucks being regulated with speed," said Cadieux. "We've noticed in our industry that it's... these accidents are down a little bit."

Police are also investigating whether the driver may have had a medical emergency or whether mechanical trouble could have contributed to the crash.

Brunet worked for Alexcalibur Transport of Dorval

Please Add Comments

Michael from Montreal
i also drive the 40 and the 20 most every work day but didn't know that trucks were supposed to be limited to 105. It is perfectly clear to me that either truckers don't give a hoot about that law or nobody told them their speed is supposed to be limited. Most big trucks sail along at 110 to 120. If they actually went 105 i think the roads would be safer for everyone. Maybe the Quebec government should put up some highway signs to post the limit and get the police to actually enforce it.

JC
I've been driving the 40 and 401 for a few years, i've seen so many deaths on these highways, almost went off asleep at exactely the same place and many other's.....rarely even here about all these drivers who die for a small salery...when a driver dies , they replace him like a spark pug...and cry for the equipement ! very sad..I quit driving before this would happen to me , not counting loosing my family because of the hours...

Deepest thoughts to the family, and to all you drivers out there risking your life for peanuts..

RIK
Been in the business for 10 years and unfortunately accidents happen. Lost some good friends over the years. There are not many things we can learn from this. Trucking is an very difficult profession and many of us don't even know half the story. Important thing is let's all share the road and be curtious....RIP Brother....Keep on trucking!!!

john doe
Wow I am suprised to see that they are limited to 13 hrs with 2 hrs in breaks.
As a Pilot we can work 14hrs extendable to 17 hrs and have no breaks......hmmmm

Kim
My condelences to the family of Mr. Brunet. I have been in the transport industry for years and whenever these terrible accidents happen, it touches close to my heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was close to this man.

Mary T
Our deepest sympathy and prayers
are with all the family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.

BOB
I drive Hwy 40 and the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge every day: 105Km/h speed limit for trucks? You're kidding, right? I see them pushing 110, some even 115 and 120 regularly. I have even seen some trucks drive the left-most lane of the highway because the flow of traffic in the centre lane was "just too slow".

Kim

Regardless of the circumstances which contributed to the accident, my heart goes out to M. Brunet's family as well as to his co-workers. This will not be an easy loss to deal with, stay strong and please accept my most sincere condolences.

Sincerely,

Kim Paquette
Pointe-des-Cascades, QC

first Mickey
Whatever the truckers are being paid, whatever rush their employers put onto them, it isn't worth it. These drivers are worth more to their families and friends than money. When are the employers ever going to learn?