Canadian driver who struck pedestrians charged over two deaths

Ottawa:  A Canadian man accused of plowing his pickup truck into pedestrians along a main street, killing two and injuring nine, was charged Tuesday with two counts of dangerous driving causing death. But after a brief court appearance police and prosecutors said more charges against the suspect, Steeve Gagnon, could follow as they seek to prove he acted deliberately and with premeditation. The 38-year-old local man allegedly drove his truck at around 3:00 pm Monday into pedestrians on a sidewalk in downtown Amqui, about 650 kilometers (400 miles) north of Montreal. Witnesses told local media he then accelerated and continued for another 400 to 500 meters (1,300 to 1,600 feet) along the road, swerving and striking more people. Prosecutor Simon Blanchette told reporters, “When we’ve collected enough evidence, then we’ll be in a position to lay more charges.” “But before we talk about murder, premeditated or otherwise, we need to collect the evidence,” he said. Quebec police spokeswoman Sergeant Helene St-Pierre told AFP investigators “are looking to confirm that the collision was a deliberate act.” Preliminary information, she said, suggested “it could possibly be a voluntary act committed by the suspect.” She said the driver had fled the scene but later turned himself in at a nearby police station. Blanchette said it was too early to comment on a motive, adding that Gagnon would remain in custody until his next court appearance on April 5. ‘Tight-knit community devastated’ The victims ranged in age from a few months to 77 years. Two men, aged 65 and 73, died after being struck. A Quebec City hospital spokesman, Stephane Tremblay, said six of the injured, including a months-old baby and a three-year-old toddler, had been transported by plane from the town of 6,000 residents in the picturesque Gaspe peninsula. Three of the adult victims remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, he said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his heart goes out to the “small tight-knit community that has been devastated by this incident.” The premier of Quebec, Francois Legault, called it “shocking.” “I feel terrible because it’s happening for a second time in a month,” he told a news conference. He alluded to a bus that slammed into a day care center in a Montreal suburb in February, killing two four-year-old children and leaving six more injured in what police believe was a deliberate act. Legault noted that in small towns like Amqui, “all people know each other and it’s very tough.” “The guy went to hit many of them,” he added, gesturing with his hand that the driver swerved back and forth randomly targeting pedestrians. On the steps of a local church, a makeshift memorial has grown with people leaving stuffed animals and flowers. A mass for the victims is to be held on Friday. Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.