EMILY HSUEH
PONTIAC Sept 17 – 19, 2020
It was a deadly week for motorcyclists in the region, as two accidents in the span of three days claimed the lives of two men.
On Sept. 17 at around 7:30 p.m., a vehicle traveling on Hwy. 148 discovered a motorcycle on the side of the road and called authorities. When first responders arrived on the scene — a curved section off of chemin du Lac de la Truite, north of Fort Coulonge — they found . . .
an unresponsive man with no vital signs.
The man was identified as 49 year-old Evan Brown from Aumond, Quebec. He later died in hospital. Police suspect the man lost control as he rode around the curve.
Another accident occurred on Sept. 19 at 8:30 p.m. in Mansfield et Pontefract. A 21-year-old Ontario woman driving an SUV collided with a motorcycle as the SUV turned off of rue Poirier onto Hwy. 148 and rolled over several times. Both drivers were seriously injured and transported to the hospital. The area was closed temporarily for investigation.
The motorcyclist, 50 year-old Mansfield et Pontefract resident Sylvain Bégin succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Described as a “pillar in the region,” Bégin was a firefighter and was highly involved in various organizations in Mansfield et Pontefract. He was the director general at the Municipality of Rapide des Joachims and was recently appointed the same title for the Municipalité de l’Ile du Grand Calumet.
The woman driving the SUV is in critical but stable condition. She could be charged with reckless driving and will be questioned when her condition improves. The investigation is ongoing.
