Alleged impaired driver crashes with SUV carrying migrants in Quebec, say police

Annabelle Olivier · CBC News

· Posted: Jul 13, 2025 12:01 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago

A associated probe  is underway successful Hemmingford, Que., adjacent the U.S. border, aft a collision involving a operator who was arrested for impaired driving, and a 2nd conveyance that constabulary said was carrying migrants, some of whom fled the country connected foot.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said exigency responders were called astatine around 4:15 a.m., for a collision connected Route 202, near the intersection of Jackson Road, successful Hemmingford, astir 65 kilometres southbound of Montreal. 

SQ spokesperson Stéphane Tremblay said pursuing impact, the conveyance carrying the migrants rolled over, injuring 4 people.

There person been conflicting reports arsenic to the fig of radical successful the SUV, with the SQ initially saying determination were 10 migrants and aboriginal updating that fig to 12.

As of 10:30 a.m., constabulary were inactive searching for 8 radical thought to person been travelling successful the SUV.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) told Radio-Canada that the migrants entered Canada from the United States, but didn't accidental when.

The SQ said the RCMP was called successful to assistance successful the hunt utilizing drones and a canine unit.

Tremblay aboriginal clarified it was a associated investigation, with the SQ liable for looking into the circumstances surrounding the crash, portion the RCMP are handling aspects pertaining to the migrants.

According to the SQ, the operator of the 2nd vehicle, a 48-year-old American man, was arrested for impaired driving. A rider travelling successful his conveyance was not injured.