Tragic collision results in two fatalities and a plea for online respect


Tashi Farmilo


A devastating car accident in the Buckingham sector claimed the lives of two teenagers last weekend, sending shockwaves through the community. On the morning of October 8 at approximately 3:00 am, near the intersection of Avenue de Buckingham and Rue Maclaren, the car they were in veered off the road. The vehicle's driver, Jason Chénier-Beaulne, 18, of Gatineau, was arrested shortly after the collision.

The Director of Public and Criminal Prosecutions (DPCP) has since authorized charges including dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing death, and failure to stop in an accident causing death. Chénier-Beaulne made an initial court appearance the evening of the incident and is scheduled for another hearing on October 10.

With an ongoing investigation, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) urges anyone with relevant information to reach out via their information line at 819 243-4636, extension 5. The SPVG, partnering with local schools, has also established crisis units to provide necessary support to affected students.

Constable Patrick Kenney, spokesman for the SPVG, made a passionate plea for restraint, especially on social media. "Tragedies like these make no sense, but as a community, we can work together to prevent them from happening again," Kenney said. He urged parents to discuss speeding, impaired driving, and responsible social media behavior with their teenagers.

The SPVG has noticed a disturbing trend of harmful comments and discussions online in the aftermath of the incident. To this end, the SPVG is taking a proactive stance against any threatening or hateful remarks online. They underscored the potential criminal repercussions for making threats or intimidating comments, both online and offline. The police service also called upon administrators of social media pages to take their role seriously in moderating and preventing the spread of harmful comments.

The collision has deeply affected the Gatineau community and particularly the Buckingham sector. Amid the grief and shock, the SPVG is calling for a collective sense of responsibility and respect, asking the public to think before posting online and to refrain from further traumatizing the families involved.

While the identities of the two deceased teenagers have been withheld due to a non-publication order, the loss reverberates throughout the community. As investigations continue and families mourn, the hope is that the incident serves as a grave reminder about the repercussions of impaired driving and the necessity for compassion and restraint in public discourse.

Photo caption: Skid marks on the asphalt, a haunting reminder of a vehicle's sudden halt.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau