Montreal

Boy orphaned by Saguenay, Que., collision dies in hospital

A four-year-old boy involved in a collision that killed his father and pregnant mother Saturday in Saguenay, Que., has died in hospital. The driver of the other vehicle is facing charges related to impaired driving.

Parents Mathieu Perron and pregnant Vanessa Viger died shortly after crash

Mathieu Perron, his pregnant partner Vanessa Viger, and their four-year-son are all dead following an accident on Saturday in Saguenay, Que. (Radio-Canada)

A four-year-old boy involved in a collision that killed his parents over the weekend in Saguenay, Que., has died in hospital.

His mother and father, Mathieu Perron and Vanessa Viger, who was pregnant, were pronounced dead a few hours after the crash, which happened on Saturday evening.

Yves Martin, 35, has been charged with dangerous driving, impaired driving and criminal negligence causing death after his pickup truck collided with the family's vehicle. 

Yves Martin has been charged in connection with the fatal collision that left three family members dead. (CBC)
Saguenay police said many witnesses reported the driver of the pickup was travelling at a high speed.

Martin has two previous drunk driving convictions. 

Prosecutor Marie-Josée Hamelin Gagnon said he could face further charges depending on the results of lab tests measuring alcohol level.

"We're to evaluate the evidence at that time," Gagnon told reporters on Monday.

Martin is being detained until his next court appearance on Friday in Chicoutimi.

His lawyer, Jean-Marc Fradette, said his client's "thoughts are with the family after this tragic accident."

There was another deadly crash last weekend killed a family in the Saguenay. Radio Noon speaks to Hubert Sacy, director general of Educ Alcool, and Marie-Claude Morin, Quebec Spokesperson for MADD Canada.

Hubert Sacy, director general of the non-profit organization Éduc'alcool, told CBC's Radio Noon the solution to preventing drunk driving accidents is simple. 

He said repeat drunk driving offenders should be required for life to use an ignition interlock device, which prevents a driver from starting the car without a clean breath sample.

"A driving licence is not a fundamental right. It's a privilege," he said.