The family of Miguel Mequish is urging motorists to stop driving when they feel tired after the 18-year-old was killed in a head-on collision on Quebec’s Route 155.
Mequish died shortly before 7 a.m. on September 10, 2026, after his vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and collided with a heavy truck in the Mauricie region. The crash happened in a curve near the stretch of Route 155 between Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac and Shawinigan.
The truck driver saw the approaching vehicle but could not avoid the impact, according to an account shared by Mequish’s family. The young man died at the scene, while the truck driver was not seriously injured. An initial police hypothesis was that Mequish may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
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Family describes a young man starting his adult life
Mequish, who was from La Tuque, had recently turned 18 and had only recently obtained his first vehicle. He had moved into an apartment in Trois-Rivières with his girlfriend and was returning home after working an overnight shift at a sawmill in Rivière-aux-Rats.
His shift had begun around 9 p.m. the previous evening. The collision occurred shortly before the end of the overnight journey, after the vehicle travelled through a straight section and reached a curve.
Laurianne Petiquay, Mequish’s aunt and family spokesperson, said the young man had been happy to gain more independence and had been making plans for his future. The family has asked drivers not to dismiss early signs of drowsiness or assume they can safely complete a trip while exhausted.
A memorial gathering involving roughly 100 people was held in his honour. Mequish was remembered as a sociable and humorous young man who brought people together in his Atikamekw community.
Miguel Mequish crash highlights risks of fatigue
The circumstances described by the family reflect a broader road-safety concern in Quebec. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec says driver fatigue is linked to an average of 92 deaths and 6,713 injuries each year. From 2020 through 2024, fatigue was identified as a factor in 24 per cent of fatal collisions and 25 per cent of collisions involving an injury or death.
The risk is elevated during overnight and early-morning hours, when the body’s natural sleep cycle reduces alertness. The SAAQ also identifies drivers under 30, night-shift workers and people with irregular schedules as groups that face increased risk.
Fatigue can slow reaction time, reduce concentration and affect judgement before a driver actually falls asleep. A brief episode of microsleep can last only a few seconds, but that is enough for a vehicle to leave its lane or fail to respond to an approaching hazard.
What drivers should do when fatigue begins
- Pull over at the first signs of drowsiness, including repeated yawning, heavy eyelids or difficulty focusing.
- Stop in a safe location rather than trying to finish the trip on willpower alone.
- Sleep before continuing. The SAAQ says rest is the only reliable way to eliminate fatigue.
- Plan breaks before long trips and be especially cautious after overnight work or during early-morning driving.
The SAAQ recommends stopping for a 20- to 30-minute nap when fatigue appears, while noting that a longer period of sleep may be needed before a driver is safe to continue.
Route 155 investigation and road closure
The collision initially closed Route 155 between Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac and Shawinigan. A detour was established using Routes 159 and 153 through Saint-Tite while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
Quebec’s official road-information service recorded an accident-related obstruction on Route 155 near Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac on September 10.
The fatal crash remains under investigation. The family’s account of possible fatigue is not a final determination of the cause, and investigators must establish the sequence of events using physical evidence and other information collected at the scene.
For Mequish’s relatives, the tragedy has also exposed the risks faced by people who regularly travel long distances for work, education and medical appointments in the Mauricie region. Their message is direct: if a driver feels sleep coming on, the trip should stop before the vehicle does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Miguel Mequish?
Miguel Mequish was an 18-year-old from La Tuque who died in a Route 155 collision in the Mauricie region on September 10, 2026.
What happened on Route 155?
Mequish’s vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with a heavy truck near Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac. He died at the scene.
Was fatigue confirmed as the cause of the crash?
No. Police reportedly considered falling asleep at the wheel as a hypothesis, but the investigation must determine the official cause.
What does Quebec report about fatigue-related crashes?
The SAAQ says fatigue is linked to an average of 92 deaths and 6,713 injuries each year in Quebec.
What should drivers do if they feel tired?
Drivers should pull over safely and sleep before continuing. Caffeine or open windows do not replace rest.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against Quebec’s official road-information service, SAAQ fatigue-safety information and a public death notice.
Disclaimer: The reported fatigue explanation remains an investigative hypothesis and should not be treated as a final finding.