FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West
A 62-year-old West Island woman who miraculously survived a horrific two-car hit-and-run crash on the Trans-Canada Highway service road in Pointe Claire two weeks ago that destroyed her vehicle says she is lucky to be alive.
“I’m certainly very grateful to be alive,” the woman, a Pointe Claire resident who asked not to be identified, told The 1510 West. “I’m in a lot of pain but that just reminds me that I’m alive. Apparently both my shoulders are fractured. It still could have been much, much worse and I’m so grateful for God’s mercy on me!”
The drama began around 9 p.m. on Oct. 29 as the woman was driving along the eastbound service road between the St. Jean and Sources exits when a speeding car slammed into the rear of her vehicle, causing it to roll over at least four times, witnesses told police. Both cars were heavily damaged, and while the woman was trapped inside the wreckage, a male suspect crawled out of his vehicle and, instead of rendering help to the woman, fled on foot.
Montreal police have launched an investigation into the crash, obtaining footage from nearby cameras, as well as examining both cars, including the suspect’s vehicle. According to police, the owner of the car turned himself in, claiming that his car had been stolen.
While investigators try to sort out the mess, the woman who has been released from hospital and is now recovering at home, suffered a broken collarbone, a broken rib, and two fractured shoulders. In an interview, she had a few choice words for the driver who slammed into her car.
“What a coward! He didn’t even check to see if I was alive!” she said. “I was crushed inside the car and I couldn’t move. Thankfully some witnesses were able to get me out and away from the car, since it reeked of gasoline.”
And if dealing with her injuries wasn’t enough, the woman says she is now having to face her insurance company, adding: “They told me if the police can’t (arrest) the guy, they won’t pay me a dime! I’ll have to pay for the towing, the impound and another car. It looks like I won’t be able to work for a while either.”
The woman said she is encouraged by how seriously police are treating her case.
“The police have been building a criminal case,” she said. “They already sent photographers to my home to document my injuries. They had these special lights that show bruising that doesn’t even appear yet! They are coming again (today) to take my recorded statement.
“Speeding is bad enough but the fact that he just ran away, like a coward, without knowing if I was dead or alive and without even calling to get me help makes me feel like he’s (going to get) what he deserves!”