2023-11-02 04:00:00
An 18-year-old cyclist became paraplegic after colliding head-on with a poorly lit metal fence in the bifurcation of the Highway 25 bridge cycle path, and saw all his future plans shattered.
“I hit it, head first,” recalls Jérémy Deguire, about the metal fence.
On September 2, at 9:16 p.m., the life of this 18-year-old young man was completely turned upside down. While he was riding “fast” in the dark on the Olivier-Charbonneau bridge cycle path, towards Laval, he hit head-on a metal fence in a chicane (see photo).
Jérémy Deguire’s head hit the fence which demarcates the chicane of the cycle path on the A-25 bridge, towards Laval. His family noticed that reflective strips were added shortly after his evening accident.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Poorly lit
Even though he knew this route, the cyclist deplored that the path was poorly lit in the evening and that no sign indicated the fork in the route.
“I was driving on the left side of the road, I didn’t see it… I crashed into it,” summarizes the young man, who has little memory of the collision.
Jérémy’s family is also considering taking legal action in connection with the lack of signage.
Since the accident, temporary reflective strips have been added to the metal fence, confirms the management of Transurban (owner of the bridge), which says it is “deeply” saddened by the fallout for this cyclist. Other safety measures are being considered, including a speed limit. This was the first accident at this location.
For its part, Vélo Québec emphasizes that the “vision zero” objective is that no one is killed or seriously injured on cycle paths, despite the risk of human error.
“In the case of a chicane like the one installed on the A-25 bridge, the obstacle gives no chance of a collision,” writes spokesperson Stéphanie Couillard. Measures such as adding bollards, better signage and lighting could significantly reduce the risk of collisions.”
Conscious upon his arrival at the Sacré-Cœur hospital, Jérémy was in bad shape: all his facial bones had been fractured except that of the lower jaw. His sternum and nine ribs were broken, and his lungs were punctured.
COURTESY (Stéphanie Deguire)
Under emergency surgery, the young man had his spine compressed. Nine vertebrae were fused with titanium rods to stabilize it. When he woke up, he learned that he was paraplegic: he no longer had any feeling from his navel to the tips of his toes. He also still wears a cervical collar to protect his neck, which was weakened in the accident.
“It is rough to see him in this situation and to say to himself that his life has changed,” confides his mother, Stéphanie Deguire.
His dream gone
In fact, his boy had to complete his one-year carpenter course this fall.
“I will be able to go back to school, but not work in construction. […] I won’t be able to work with my hands,” realizes the Laval resident, who had just bought his first car.
Hiking, stopover, camping: the young outdoor enthusiast also realizes that all his leisure activities will be difficult to access.
“Everything is becoming more difficult, there are many things that I will no longer be able to do,” he admits, adding that he already has the goal of getting a handcycle.
As for the possibility of regaining the use of his legs, the young man does not have too many expectations.
“It would be a lie to say that I am optimistic. Unless they find a miracle surgery in another country,” he whispers.
“The further we go from the date of the accident, the lower the possibility that he will recover anything,” adds his mother. But he gives 100% to his rehabilitation. He’s super positive, he’s moving forward.”
The helmet saved him
Looking back, the Laval resident realizes to what extent his helmet, which he wore assiduously, saved his life.
His helmet absorbed the shock of the collision with the metal fence, which saved his life, according to his doctors.
Photo courtesy Stéphanie Deguire
“There is not a single one of my friends who no longer wears a helmet,” he notes since his accident.
Currently in a rehabilitation center, he continues his exercises to become as independent as possible with his wheelchair.
“I never get pushed,” swears the young man, who admits to being proud.
Furthermore, the tragic accident also disrupts the lives of his entire family, forced to move to a house adapted to Jérémy’s condition. A fundraising campaign allowed them to raise nearly $20,000.
“It’s definitely a lot of adaptation. Our whole life has changed,” admits his mother.
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