Unhoused Montreal woman injured in collision speaks out following support

Global News

04-06-2025

Community members and advocates for the unhoused on Montreal's south shore are reacting to an incident in Brossard last week that almost killed a woman living on the street.
Caroline Derome, who lived in an encampment on Allard Street in Brossard, was allegedly struck by a motorist deliberately on Tuesday, May 27th.
The driver, Luigi Fragomele, was arrested and faces four charges, including assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, dangerous driving and fleeing the scene of an accident.
'My leg is broken,' she told Global News, pointing to her right leg in a cast between the knee and ankle. 'I have a surgery already and everything went well, so I hope that it will continue that way and that it will heal properly and quickly.'
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
On Tuesday, housing rights advocates held a protest near the scene of the incident to denounce the alleged attack.
Story continues below advertisement
'This is terrible,' stated Johanne Nasstrom of TROC Montérégie. 'This is actually something we don't want to see in our country.'
Others stress that what happened to Derome is a direct consequence of inaction on the bigger issue — lack of affordable housing, leading to encampments.
Derome has been without a home for a year agrees, and says she can't find anything that she can afford.
'I have children living in Montreal,' she said, fighting back tears, 'so, this is the hardest part. I wish that I could go back to Montreal, but it's impossible.'
It's because rent increases are so steep, she explained.
Derome is living with her brother while she heals, but hopes to find her own place before long.