The tragic daycare crash that shook our Laval community last year continues to wind through Quebec’s legal system, with a significant hearing now scheduled for September. As many Montrealers remember all too well, this heartbreaking incident claimed the lives of two young children and left several others injured when a city bus crashed into a daycare center in February 2023.
Pierre Ny St-Amand, the 52-year-old former STL bus driver facing multiple serious charges including first-degree murder, appeared briefly in court yesterday. The Crown has announced their intention to have St-Amand declared a high-risk accused – a designation that would significantly impact his detention conditions should he be found not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
“This type of designation carries serious implications for the accused,” explains Montreal criminal defense attorney Mia Rousseau, who is not involved in the case. “It essentially means the court believes the person poses a substantial risk to public safety even if found not criminally responsible.”
The hearing to determine this high-risk status will take place September 25-27 at the Laval courthouse. This represents a critical juncture in a case that has deeply affected our community since that February morning when emergency services rushed to the Garderie Éducative Sainte-Rose.
St-Amand was arrested at the scene after the bus he was driving crashed into the daycare building. The incident claimed the lives of two children: four-year-old Jacob Gauthier and five-year-old Maëva David. Six other children were injured, some seriously.
The accused faces nine charges in total, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault with a weapon causing bodily harm. He has been detained at Montreal’s Pinel Institute for psychiatric evaluation since shortly after his arrest.
Parents of victims were present in court yesterday, as they have been throughout this difficult process. Their continued strength in the face of unimaginable loss has been remarkable, though their pain remains evident.
“The families deserve answers and justice,” says community advocate Catherine Lemieux, who has supported the affected families. “These proceedings may be necessary, but they also force parents to relive that terrible day with each court appearance.”
What makes this case particularly complex is the mental health assessment component. St-Amand underwent a 30-day psychiatric evaluation last year, though the results haven’t been made public. The Crown’s motion for a high-risk designation suggests they’re preparing for the possibility of a not criminally responsible finding.
Dr. Jean Tremblay, a forensic psychiatrist at McGill University Health Centre, explains: “The high-risk accused designation was created to address cases where someone might be found not criminally responsible but still presents ongoing danger to the public. It allows for more restrictive conditions than would typically be imposed by a review board.”
If declared a high-risk accused, St-Amand could face more stringent detention conditions and less frequent review board hearings than typical NCR cases. These measures aim to balance treatment needs with public safety concerns.
The September hearing will likely involve testimony from psychiatric experts as well as evidence regarding the nature of the offenses. It represents just one stage in what continues to be a lengthy legal process for all involved.
Community support for the affected families remains strong more than a year after the tragedy. Several local organizations have established support funds, and memorial events continue to honor the young victims.
As this case progresses, our Montreal community continues to grapple with both the immediate tragedy and broader questions about mental health, public safety, and the legal system’s ability to address cases involving potential mental disorders.
The September hearing may provide some answers, but for the families of Jacob, Maëva, and the other children affected, the quest for understanding and healing continues regardless of legal outcomes. Our thoughts remain with them as they navigate this difficult journey.
