Montreal

Man arrested after crashing vehicle into RCMP Quebec headquarters

Montreal police are investigating after they say a man deliberately crashed his vehicle into the main entrance of the RCMP's divisional headquarters in Westmount.

Police believe the driver may have been in crisis at the time of the crash

Police and first responders tend to a victim and a vehicle is seen after crashing into a building.
The 44-year-old driver was taken to hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. (Mathieu Wagner/Radio-Canada)

Montreal police are investigating after they say a man deliberately crashed his vehicle into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police divisional headquarters on Dorchester Boulevard, in Westmount, west of downtown.

Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant said a 911 call was made reporting a crash at the main entrance of the building around 9:25 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle, a 44-year-old man, was arrested but taken to hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries suffered in the crash.

Brabant said the driver was first seen approaching the building on foot, but eventually got into his vehicle and drove "slowly" but at a constant speed, into the entrance. 

Police believe the driver may have been suffering from mental health issues and said he was possibly in a state of crisis. 

While damage to the building was considerable with glass being shattered at the entrance, Brabant said that two RCMP officers who were inside at the time were not injured. 

Investigators will be questioning the driver as soon as his health allows.

Written by Annabelle Olivier