Driver charged with 1st-degree murder in Quebec daycare crash

A bus driver that killed two children after crashing into a daycare north of Montreal Wednesday morning has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51, appeared by video late in the afternoon from a hospital room and will remain detained.

Court documents show he is facing a total of nine charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm.

Six other children were taken to hospitals in Laval and Montreal with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 8:30 a.m., a Société de transport de Laval bus collided into the daycare building, which is located at the end of a driveway a significant distance from the closest bus route.

Witnesses who rushed to the scene said they had to tame the driver, who appeared to be delirious and took off his clothing after exiting the bus.

Officials did not release the ages of the dead and injured children.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the victims of this tragedy.

My heart is with the people of Laval today. No words can take away the pain and fear that parents, children, and workers are feeling – but we are here for you. I’m keeping everyone affected by this unfathomable, tragic event in my thoughts.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 8, 2023