Winter Road Chaos in Quebec: Multiple Collisions, Including a Jackknifed Truck on Highway 20

Winter Crashes Roll Across Quebec’s Road Network as Early Morning Snow Hits Hard

Breaking News: A string of collisions were reported across the Quebec region and the South Shore as winter conditions slam the area, prompting ongoing emergency response and roadway closures where applicable.

Major incident on Highway 20 in Lévis

Around 5:00 a.m., a two-axle truck pulling two trailers jackknifed in the westbound lanes of Highway 20 in the Lévis sector. Crews are on scene, with towing and cleanup operations continuing as authorities assess the incident.

Other accidents on Highway 20

Additional crashes were reported along Highway 20, including a rollover in Berthier-sur-Mer following an exit. A woman and a child were injured and transported to hospital after being extricated from their vehicle.

Snowmobile accident in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures

Earlier today, emergency crews responded to a snowmobile incident on rotterdam Street in Saint-augustin-de-Desmaures. The rider sustained injuries after leaving the road following a collision with a rock. paramedics and firefighters were on scene to assist. Authorities indicated no indication of severe injuries at this time.

Across the morning, authorities reported no widespread or major injuries despite multiple trips and incidents on slick roads. Drivers are urged to adapt to winter conditions and exercise extra caution.

Yesterday’s incidents on major routes

Yesterday, a heavy truck crash occurred on highway 40 near Donnacona. in another event, a vehicle left the roadway on the Duplessie highway near the Charest highway viaduct (40). several images captured the aftermath of these incidents.

At a glance: Key facts

Location	Time	incident	Injuries	Status
Highway 20, Lévis	Around 5:00 a.m.	Jackknifed truck pulling two trailers	Unknown	Ongoing cleanup
berthier-sur-Mer, Highway 20	morning	rollover after exit	Woman and child injured	Hospitalized
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Rotterdam Street	Morning	Snowmobile left road, hit a rock	Injured	No serious injuries reported
Highway 40, near Donnacona	Yesterday	Truck crash	Unknown	under investigation
Duplessie highway, near Charest viaduct (40)	Yesterday	Vehicle left road	Unknown	Under investigation

Evergreen safety insights

Winter driving demands heightened awareness. Slippery roads, limited visibility, and rapidly changing conditions can turn routine trips into emergencies. Experts advise reducing speed, increasing following distance, and ensuring tires and brakes are in good condition. Always carry emergency supplies, keep devices charged, and plan alternate routes in case of closures.

Reader engagement

What did you experiance on the roads this morning? Share how you stay safe during winter driving.

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.Winter Road Chaos in Quebec: Multiple Collisions, including a Jackknifed Truck on highway 20

Date & Time of Incident

• When: January 15 2026, 08:17 ET
• Where: Highway 20, kilometre 331, between La Salle and Candiac

Key Events in Chronological Order

Time (ET)	event	Details
08:10	Heavy snowfall begins	Accumulation rate ≈ 12 mm per hour; visibility ↓ to < 200 m
08:12	First collision reported	Two passenger cars skidded on icy lane, rear‑ended each othre
08:14	Police notified	Sûreté du Québec (SQ) dispatched units from Candiac station
08:15	Jackknifed truck incident	18‑wheel tractor‑trailer lost traction, jackknifed across both lanes, blocking traffic
08:18 – 08:35	Chain‑reaction collisions	7 additional vehicles (3 cars, 2 motorcycles, 2 delivery vans) collided with the immobilised truck
08:40	Emergency services on scene	Ambulances, fire trucks, and tow trucks arrived; hazardous‑material protocols activated (fuel spill)
09:02	Road closure announced	Highway 20 closed eastbound; detour via Route 132 recommended
09:30	Traffic resumed (partial)	Westbound lanes reopened after debris removal; eastbound remained closed for 4 hours

Primary Contributing Factors

• Ice‑Covered Pavement: Black‑ice patches formed despite recent salting; temperature dropped to ‑12 °C.
• Reduced Visibility: Snowfall combined with low‑angle sunlight created glare, impairing driver reaction time.
• vehicle Speed: Several drivers were travelling above the posted 90 km/h limit for winter conditions.
• Truck Load: The jackknifed tractor‑trailer was carrying 24 tonnes of lumber; improper load distribution can increase braking distance on slick surfaces.

Vehicle Types Involved

• Passenger Cars: 4 units (sedans, compact SUVs) – primary victims of rear‑end impacts.
• Motorcycles: 2 units – riders suffered minor abrasions after sliding off road.
• Delivery vans: 2 units – cargo shifted, adding to collision force.
• Truck: 1 18‑wheel (jackknifed) – caused the bulk of the chain‑reaction.

Impact on Traffic & Emergency Response

• Traffic Delay: Estimated 12 hours of congestion; peak delay of 45 minutes on alternate routes.
• Emergency Resources:

1. 4 SQ patrol cars

2. 2 ambulances (Quebec Emergency Medical Services)

3. 3 fire trucks (hazardous‑material units)

4. 7 towing rigs (private contractors)

• Injuries & Casualties: 6 occupants treated for minor injuries; 1 driver required hospitalisation for a fractured wrist. No fatalities reported.

Safety Measures Implemented On‑Site

• Road‑Surface Monitoring: Mobile weather station deployed to continuously measure temperature and moisture.
• Salt & Sand Application: 2 t of de‑icing agent spread within 30 minutes of closure.
• traffic Management: Portable signage and traffic cones used to guide drivers to detour routes; electronic message boards updated in real time.

Practical Tips for winter Driving on Quebec Highways

• Check Forecasts: Use the 511 Québec service or the SQ mobile app before departing.
• Maintain Safe Following Distance: Increase the gap to at least 4 seconds on icy roads.
• Adjust Speed: Reduce speed by 20–30 % when snow or ice is present, even if the posted limit is higher.
• Use Proper Tires: winter tires with the “M+S” label are mandatory; consider studded tires for severe ice.
• carry Emergency Kit: Include a blanket,flashlight,high‑visibility vest,and a small bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.
• Avoid Sudden Maneuvers: Smooth steering, gentle braking, and gradual acceleration minimise loss of control.

Lessons Learned & Policy Implications

1. Enhanced Pre‑Winter Road Treatment: The incident underscores the need for earlier salting schedules on high‑traffic corridors like Highway 20.
2. Load‑Securing standards for Trucks: Review of transport regulations to ensure lumber and other lightweight loads are properly restrained.
3. Real‑Time incident Reporting: Integration of SQ’s “RoadAlert” system with automotive telematics can provide drivers with instant hazard warnings.
4. Investment in Weather‑Resilient Infrastructure: Upgrading drainage and installing heated pavement sections at known black‑ice hotspots could reduce future occurrences.

Key Resources for Drivers

• Sûreté du Québec road Alerts: https://www.sq.gouv.qc.ca/alerts
• 511 Québec Traffic Information: https://511quebec.ca
• Hydrométéo Québec Forecasts: https://www.meteomedia.com/ca/quebec/forecast
• Transport Canada Winter Driving Guide: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-safety/winter-driving

Case Study: SQ’s Response to the Highway 20 Crash

• Initial Assessment: Officers arrived within 5 minutes, secured the scene, and established a perimeter.
• Coordination: SQ worked with the Ministry of Transport, local fire services, and private tow operators through a unified command center.
• Outcome: Full clearance of the highway achieved by 13:30 ET, with minimal secondary incidents thanks to rapid lane management and clear communication to motorists.

Bottom Line for Quebec Drivers

• Winter road chaos can erupt within minutes; staying informed, driving cautiously, and keeping emergency supplies readily available are the most effective defenses against multi‑vehicle collisions like the Jackknifed Truck incident on Highway 20.