Saint-Henri residents set up memorial for 8-year-old boy struck and killed by car

Saint-Henri residents have started droppingoff flowers, notes and stuffed toys at the street corner where an eight-year-old boy was struck and killed by a caron Wednesday afternoon.

The boy had left theday camp at the St. Zotique sports and culturalcentre and was crossing at the corner ofSt-Ambroiseand Square-Sir-George-Etienne-Cartier streets when he was hit around 4 p.m.

Police said the vehicle involved in the incident came to a full stop at a stop sign, then continued on, which is when the boy was struck.

He was transported to hospital, where he later died.

Daniel Blanger, the camp'sdirector, told CBC that, based on security camera footage from the front of the building, he hasa good idea of whathappened.

Blanger said children at the camp usually wait for their parents to pick them on up on the steps in front or on the sidewalk. He said in this case, the boy's parent was parked on the other side of the street and signalled for him to cross.

The boy waited for one vehicle to pass in front of him, but was struck by a car going the opposite way as he crossed.

"Ithink we all learned our lesson that parents must come pick up their kids on the sidewalk," he said.

"It's a tragedy for the family, but a day camp, it's like a big family for the summer. We knew the child, we knew the parents, this really affected us," Blangersaid.

In a Facebook post Wednesday night, The Centre Rcratif, Culturel et Sportif (CRCS) St-Zotiquesaid it would be closing the camp until Monday to give staffpsychosocial support over the coming days.

Shielding the other children

Julie Bugeaud, who has a child at the camp, said she was impressed by how quickly the counsellors were able to keep the children's backs turned and ensure that as few children as possible witnessed the collision.

"For sure some people witnessed it, but those who hadn't come out yet were kept inside," Bugeaud said.

Kevin Thomas was on his way to pick up his oldestdaughter from the day camp when it happened.

Feeling shocked and saddened, he scrambled to find some way to help and started directingtraffic at the street corner until authorities arrived. He said a few others at the scene did the same.

So far, no charges have been laid in the incident, but police are investigating.

On Wednesday, Sud-Ouest borough MayorBenoit Doraissaid once theinvestigation concludes, the city "willmake sure all recommended safety measures are put into place."

Support from neighbours

Estefania Contrerasbrought her two sons, Tristanand Lucas, to the makeshift memorial to pay their respects.

"He was the same age as my younger one," she said. "This is so close to home. I feel this is an important reminder for them to think about safety when they are on the roads, on their bikes."

Contrerassaid she no longer feelscomfortable letting her boys walk around the neighbourhood on their own.

"It could have happened to any of us."

Saint-Henri residents mourn boy killed in vehicle collision

4 years ago

Duration 1:22

Estefania Contreras brought her two sons, Tristan and Lucas, to the makeshift memorial to pay their respects.