Latest news with #Brossard
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Family of woman allegedly hit by car in Brossard speaks out: ‘How could anyone do this?'
Family of Caroline Derome seeks answers after she was allegedly run over by a stranger while living in a tent behind a Brossard car dealership. The family of Caroline Derome says they're still trying to understand how she ended up in a hospital bed — and why she was allegedly targeted by a complete stranger. Derome, 44, was seriously injured Tuesday after police say she was deliberately hit by a driver while staying in a tent with a friend behind a car dealership on Allard Street in Brossard. Her brother, David Derome, said he was overwhelmed with disbelief and anger when he got the call. 'I believed her when she told me it wasn't an accident,' he said. 'But I couldn't wrap my head around what kind of person would do something like that.' Longueuil police arrested 46-year-old Luigi Fragomele at the scene. He's now facing five charges, including assault with a weapon, dangerous driving, and hit-and-run. He appeared in court on Wednesday and Thursday, but the motive behind the incident remains unclear. Derome is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery on her leg. Her brother says the events that led to her living in a tent weren't linear but built up over time — the result of several setbacks she tried and continues to try hard to overcome. 'She stayed with a friend for a little while,' he explained. 'Then with some family. But eventually she ended up going to stay outside when the weather got nice.' Caroline had lost her apartment after separating from her ex-partner. Financial pressure, a lack of affordable housing, and an addiction to pain medication all played a role, he said. But she was working to rebuild. 'She went to a [detox] centre for about a month,' he said. 'And she hasn't touched anything since.' David describes her as smart, lively, and deeply generous — the kind of person who always made time for others, especially her children. 'She's incredibly bright, has a huge heart, and she's a great mom,' he said. 'But despite everything she was doing to try and move forward, she still fell through the cracks.' Tuesday's incident has left community advocates deeply concerned. Lucie Latulippe, executive director of Abri de la Rive-Sud, a South Shore organization that helps people in crisis, said the growing visibility of unhoused people can provoke strong emotions for some. 'I understand that for some people, seeing more and more unhoused individuals can create a sense of insecurity, frustration, even anger,' she said. 'But we have to remind ourselves: they're human beings who deserve compassion and dignity.' Advocates say violence against unhoused people isn't uncommon — and often goes unnoticed. David Chapman, executive director of Resilience Montreal, said a lack of safety is part of daily life for people who sleep outdoors. He added that government inaction and opposition to shelters and services — often referred to as 'Not In My Backyard' or NIMBY attitudes — are compounding the problem. 'There's not enough housing for unhoused people,' Chapman said. 'Not enough shelter space, not enough transitional housing or mental health support. And too often, communities don't want those resources near them.' Caroline's family says they don't want her story to be reduced to a headline. They say she's more than what happened to her — and they hope this is a turning point. They want justice, but just as urgently, they want her to be given the time, support, and chance to keep rebuilding the life she was already fighting to get back.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Quebec man charged after police say he deliberately hit a woman with his car
A 46-year-old man is facing several charges after Longueuil, Que., police say he deliberately hit a woman with his vehicle. The accused, a Brossard, Que., man, appeared in court on Wednesday and was charged with four offences, including dangerous driving, assault with a weapon — in this case a vehicle — leaving the scene of an accident and mischief. The incident happened at around noon Tuesday on Allard Street, a residential street in Brossard, a South Shore suburb of Montreal. Police said the man did not know the victim, a 44-year-old woman. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries to her legs, but police said they do not fear for her life. The crash happened next to what appears to be a makeshift shelter with one tent set up beside a hedge of cedars. On Wednesday, the encampment was still there, with some personal belongings scattered nearby. Area residents told CBC News the makeshift camp is new and wasn't there on Sunday. CBC has been unable to confirm whether the victim was unhoused or staying at the camp. In an email to CBC, Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad said the community was "profoundly shaken to learn of the assault," and said her thoughts were with the victim. "We express our full support and solidarity," she wrote.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Montreal-area man accused of ‘deliberately' driving into homeless woman with his vehicle facing charges
A 44-year-old woman was hospitalized after being hit by a vehicle in Brossard. (Cosmo Santamaria/CTV News) A man has been charged after he allegedly drove into a homeless woman with his car on Montreal's South Shore. The collision happened Tuesday at around noon on Allard Street in Brossard. 'Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of a vehicle may have deliberately driven towards her,' Longueuil police (SPAL) said on social media. Court records show that Luigi Fragomele, 46, of Brossard, was charged on Wednesday with assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, failure to stop after an accident, and mischief. The victim is identified as Caroline Derome. Police said her injuries were not life-threatening. The accused is scheduled to return to court on Thursday. More to come. With files from CTV Montreal's Laurence Brisson-Dubreuil
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Longueuil police believe collision between vehicle, woman was intentional
Police on Montreal's South Shore say a 44-year-old woman was hospitalized Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle and believe the collision might have been a deliberate act. The collision happened at around noon near a business on Allard Street in Brossard. 'Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of a vehicle may have deliberately driven towards her,' Longueuil police (SPAL) said on social media. Police say the driver of the vehicle, a 46-year-old man, was arrested at the scene of the crash and could face charges of assault with a weapon. The woman's injuries are not life-threatening. Police say the investigation is still ongoing.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Technical issue interrupts REM again
A Réseau express métropolitain (REM) train makes its way towards downtown in Montreal, Thursday, November 14, 2024. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press) A technical issue is causing interruptions on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) Monday morning. According to the network, the situation is creating trouble in both directions between Gare Centrale and the Panama station in Brossard. 'Service resumption time is currently unknown,' the REM notes. For information on shuttle buses, click here.
