Quebec man in critical condition after police chase

This image of the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) logo was taken in Louiseville on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz) (The Canadian Press)

Quebec’s police watchdog (BEI) is investigating after a man who allegedly stole a car was critically injured following a police chase Tuesday morning.

On Monday, provincial police were called regarding a car theft in Sorel-Tracy in the Montérégie area. Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officers reportedly stopped the vehicle and the vehicle ran off the road near Yamaska.

The driver fled on foot and was not caught by police, according to the BEI.

On Tuesday, police received a call shortly after midnight about a second car theft in Yamaska. The vehicle in question was found in Campbell’s Bay.

Around 6:30 a.m., a call was made for a third vehicle theft in Campbell’s Bay. Police found the car on Highway 50 in Lachute and initiated a pursuit.

Police officers reportedly tried to intercept the vehicle using tire spikes, but it collided with a patrol car and a second vehicle on the highway around 7:07 a.m.

At around 7:14 a.m., the decision was made to break off the pursuit, according to the BEI.

The getaway vehicle reportedly collided with two other vehicles in Blainville around 7:20 a.m.

The driver of the getaway vehicle reportedly suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in critical condition. The occupants of the other vehicles suffered minor injuries.

Five BEI investigators were assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the intervention and Montreal police were asked to hold a parallel criminal investigation into the events.

The BEI investigates all cases where a civilian dies, suffers serious injury or is injured by a firearm used by an officer during a police operation or while in police custody.