Man killed in head-on collision on Highway 50

A 28-year-old man from Terrebonne lost his life on Wednesday, September 7 when his Chevrolet Cavalier collided with an eastbound semi-truck and trailer heading in the opposite direction on Highway 50.

The accident occurred at about 2 p.m. when, for unknown reasons, the two vehicles collided near kilometre 269 on the highway, just outside of Lachute. The force of the 45-foot-long truck hitting the car had sufficient impact to cut the car nearly in half and caused the truck to catch fire.

According to Sûreté du Quebec spokesperson Martine Isabelle, the driver of the car was seriously injured in the accident and removed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries and was safely removed from his vehicle before it caught fire.

"On first appearance, the driver of the truck didn't appear injured," said Isabelle.

A section of Highway 50 was closed until 3:15 a.m. on September 8 so that firefighters could battle a fire that reduced the semi-truck to near ashes and to clean up the scene.