A man was seriously injured after crashing into a pole at the corner of Talbot and de l'Université boulevards in Chicoutimi on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The accident, which involved a single vehicle, occurred shortly before 9 AM. Emergency services were quick to respond, and the individual was transported to the hospital, where his life was reported not to be in danger.
According to the Service de police de Saguenay (SPS), the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. The police have not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In a statement, SPS spokesperson Dominique Gagnon urged the public to avoid the area, noting that the intersection would be closed for an indefinite period while investigations were underway.
Traffic was significantly disrupted as a result of the accident, with vehicles blocked in both directions between Alma, des Roitelets, and Murdoch streets. Motorists faced long waits as detours were put in place to manage the flow of traffic. Gagnon explained, "We ask the public to respect the signage in place. We will notify you when traffic is restored." The police set up a command post at the scene to facilitate the investigation, which does not appear to involve any criminal elements.
By the afternoon, the scene remained cordoned off, contributing to considerable congestion on the main thoroughfare of Chicoutimi. Around 2:15 PM, a specialized accident reconstruction agent from the Sûreté du Québec was called in to assist with clarifying the details of the collision. The SPS reassured the public that they were doing everything possible to restore traffic flow at the intersection as quickly as possible.
By approximately 3:15 PM, the intersection of boulevard Talbot and boulevard de l’Université was cleared, allowing traffic to resume. However, the investigation into the cause of the accident continues.
In an unrelated incident on the same day, another collision occurred on Saint-Paul Boulevard in Chicoutimi, resulting in a woman in her thirties being transported to the emergency room. Details regarding her condition were not immediately available, but the SPS confirmed that this incident was separate from the earlier crash. Additionally, a minor injury was reported following a collision on Coulombe Road at the corner of Lavoie Street in the Shipshaw area, which involved two vehicles and occurred around the same time as the other accidents.
As traffic authorities work to manage these incidents, local residents are reminded to stay vigilant and adhere to any traffic advisories. The SPS continues to gather information and will provide updates as more details emerge about both the serious accident on Talbot and de l'Université boulevards and the other incidents reported throughout the day.
