Six people were hospitalized after a vehicle struck pedestrians near the Festival Western de St-Tite in Quebec early Saturday, September 19, prompting a major police investigation and the arrest of a man in his 20s.
The incident happened at about 4:30 a.m. on Saint-Joseph Boulevard in Saint-Tite, in Quebec’s Mauricie region. Provincial police said the six victims suffered varying injuries, including some described as serious. Their individual conditions had not been publicly detailed in the latest update.
đ¨đ¨đ¨ Plusieurs personnes auraient ĂŠtĂŠ blessĂŠes par un vĂŠhicule au Festival Western de St-Tite durant la nuit.
— Hadi Hassin (@hassinhadi) September 19, 2026
Selon nos informations, un automobiliste aurait dĂŠlibĂŠrĂŠment blessĂŠ plusieurs personnes au petit matin sur la rue principale.https://t.co/66ioxDTKlR
Via⌠pic.twitter.com/3cvrgpjRh4
Driver arrested about an hour after the incident
Police said the vehicle left the area after the pedestrians were struck. It was located at around 5:30 a.m. in the QuĂŠbec City area, roughly an hour after officers were first called to Saint-Tite.
A man in his 20s was arrested and was expected to be interviewed by investigators. His identity had not been publicly released, and police had not announced specific charges in the latest information available.
Authorities have also not determined whether the collision was intentional. According to Global News’ report on the St-Tite incident, Quebec provincial police said that question remained unclear while the investigation continued.
Major investigation underway in Saint-Tite
The SĂťretĂŠ du QuĂŠbec’s Major Crimes Investigation Service is involved in the case. Investigators are working to establish the sequence of events and have sought information from people who may have witnessed what happened.
Saint-Joseph Boulevard was closed to vehicles between du Couvent and du Moulin streets while police examined the scene. The closure came during a busy festival weekend when large numbers of pedestrians and vehicles were moving through the community.
Quebec has seen another serious road investigation in recent days. On September 16, six people were hospitalized in a wrong-way crash on Autoroute 50 in Gatineau, including two passengers reported in critical condition.
Festival activities continue despite the incident
Festival organizers said Saturday’s activities would continue as scheduled. In a statement, the organization described the early-morning event as an isolated incident beyond its control and expressed support for the people involved and their families.
Organizers also said the safety of festivalgoers, volunteers and staff remained a priority. The Festival Western de St-Tite is a major annual gathering featuring professional rodeos, country music and western-themed activities.
The Mauricie region has also recently dealt with another serious traffic incident. A fatal collision on Route 155 in Grandes-Piles earlier in September led to a lengthy closure while the SĂťretĂŠ du QuĂŠbec investigated why an SUV crossed into the path of a tanker truck.
Police have not confirmed a motive
The distinction between a collision and an intentional act remains important. Police have not confirmed that the pedestrians were deliberately targeted, and an arrest does not establish what caused the vehicle to enter the group.
Investigators will need to assess witness accounts, evidence from the scene and information obtained during questioning before providing a clearer explanation. Until then, claims about motive or responsibility should not be treated as confirmed.
Premier Christine FrÊchette said her thoughts were with the victims and others affected, while Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière thanked frontline responders. Officials said the investigation would need to determine the circumstances of the incident.
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Key details still under investigation
Important questions remain unanswered, including the precise condition of each hospitalized person, why the vehicle struck the pedestrians and what charges, if any, the arrested driver could face.
Festival activities are continuing, but people travelling through central Saint-Tite should follow police directions and any temporary restrictions around Saint-Joseph Boulevard as investigators continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
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