Gatineau, November 8, 2013. – Further to an investigation that lasted several weeks, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) identified and questioned a suspect in a case of road rage that occurred in July 2013. Meetings with witnesses, rigorous searches and analyses enabled the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) to lay charge of assault against Steve Haché, a 43 year-old resident of Val-des-Monts. Mr. Haché was released with conditions.

Summary of the occurrence

On July 29, 2013, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a 69 year-old man was in his vehicle heading west on rue Saint-Louis in Gatineau. He had just come to a stop at the traffic light at the intersection of highway 50 when a motorcyclist attempted to overtake him on the right. Failing to do so, the driver of the yellow sport motorcycle became very arrogant and aggressive. A few minutes later, at the intersection of Saint-Louis and Picardie, the motorcyclist failed again to pass on the right, prompting an additional barrage of aggressive comments and gestures directed at the victim. The suspect ended up following the victim to his home, where the latter did not have a chance to get to safety before he was attacked. The motorcyclist pushed the victim, causing him to lose his balance, and then kicked him in the abdomen and took off. When the victim fell, he hit his head. The victim's wife, who was at home, witnessed the attack in front of her home. The man was taken to Gatineau hospital by ambulance.

Safety tips

The SPVG reminds residents that this type of aggression is unacceptable, and is taken seriously by police. It is everyone's responsibility to conduct themselves courteously in order to make our streets more pleasant and safe. In order to find out how to react in a case of road rage, the SPVG invites residents to consult conseils de sécurité, which is posted on its Web site (www.police.gatineau.ca).