Vehicle hits four pedestrians at Quebec country music festival - Toronto Star

A driver struck and injured six pedestrians at a Quebec festival early Saturday morning before fleeing the scene, according to provincial police.

Patrick Clavel appeared in court in St-Jérôme on Tuesday. 

SAINT-TITE - A driver who allegedly struck and injured six pedestrians at a Quebec country music festival had not planned an attack, provincial police say.

The incident happened at a western-themed festival in Saint-Tite, Que., around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. 

Speaking at the festival site later in the day, police spokesperson Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said the person’s alleged actions did not appear to be premeditated.

“We are not dealing with an individual using a ram truck who planned the attack to intentionally injure people,” she told reporters.

She added that police are looking into the possibility that the driver knew the victims. 

“Could there have been an altercation between some of the people involved that might explain the action this person took?” said Bilodeau.

The victims, aged between 17 and 21, were taken to hospital and were in stable condition, she said.

Police said the suspect, a man in his 20s, had fled. But his vehicle was spotted an hour later in the Quebec City area. 

He was arrested and remained in custody later Saturday, charged with dangerous driving causing bodily injury and hit-and-run resulting in bodily injury. Bilodeau said he would be released after questioning and appear in court at a later date.

The suspect was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, Bilodeau said.

The festival organizers responded to the incident in a statement sent to The Canadian Press by email, saying that their thoughts are with the victims and their families.

“The safety of our festivalgoers, volunteers, and staff remains our top priority,” they said. The festival is a celebratory event where everyone should feel safe.” 

They added that Saturday’s activities would proceed as scheduled.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published September 19, 2026.