Father of four dies following accident on des Allumettières

Mathieu Chrétien, 31-year-old father of four, passed away due to complications from injuries suffered in a car accident, November 5, on boulevard des Allumettières, just east of Vanier Road.

Chrétien was married to Laura Endicott Lavigne-Chrétien of Aylmer and worked at the EY Centre in Ottawa. Dave Hutton, Manager, Food & Beverage, was his direct supervisor. “He was a sociable fellow. With four kids he had a busy life. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He was a great employee; it’s certainly a loss for us. We are all shocked. This hit close to home,” Hutton told the Bulletin.

Chrétien died of his injuries a few days after the accident. His family is donating his organs.

The family had picked up their daughter from a party and were heading home eastbound on boulevard des Allumettières when a simple car ride turned into a case of alleged road rage.

After a collision with a pickup truck, Chrétien’s van flipped and left the road before landing in a ditch full of water. When first responders arrived on the scene his head was submerged in water, causing considerable damage to his brain. First responders were able to free him from the vehicle and proceeded with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Chrétien’s wife and three children in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries. The mother explained that the driver of the other vehicle was driving aggressively and appeared to collide (deliberately) with their van. Following the accident, police interviewed the other driver, but have not laid charges.