Car catches fire after collision on Route 138, killing driver

A man is fighting for his life on Sunday morning after a collision during the night in Quebec City. Photo taken on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Christinne Muschi / The Canadian Press) (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

A collision on Thursday afternoon in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, in the Quebec City area, is thought to have left one person dead.

Emergency services were dispatched at around 4:15 p.m. in response to a collision between a car and a lumber truck on Route 138, near Rang Saint-Placide, according to provincial police (SQ).

Police said a small car suddenly veered out of its lane and into the path of the truck. As a result of the impact, both vehicles burst into flames.

The truck driver was not injured, but the driver of the small car was unable to get out of the vehicle before it burst into flames.

The SQ said that, given the extent of the blaze, they are not yet in a position to provide details about the vehicle or the person, but the latter has died.

Route 138 has been closed to traffic while emergency services intervene, says the SQ, and will be reopened at a later date.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French March 13, 2025.