Driver of snow-removal truck that fatally struck pedestrian in NDG never saw him coming, owner's wife says

The driver of the truck that fatally struck a 50-year-old man had just started his shift and was going 20 km/h, according to the wife of the owner of the company.

• Side guards, other safety measures for snow trucks don't apply to private contractors

NancyBoisier, whose husband ownsTransport E Racine,a trucking company based out of Laval, said the driver "never saw the pedestrian."

"The windows were clean, the truck has good visibility, we think the person must have slipped," she said.

"The side guards would not have made a difference."

The accident happened shortly after midnight on Girouard Avenue south of Sherbrooke Street.

Montreal police said it appears the pedestrian was struck while the truck was turning left onto Girouard.

Investigators were still trying to determine who had the right of way, or whether the man had crossed at the intersection.

The company was clearing highway ramps on contract with Quebec's Transport Ministry.

Fateful anniversary

The accident comes 11 years ago to the day after another pedestrian, JessicaHolman-Price, was killed by snow-clearing truck in neighbouringWestmount.

Price slid under the wheels of a snow removal truck at the corner ofStrathconaand Sherbrooke Streets. Her brother was seriously injured in the incident.

Hermother,JeanetteHolman-Price, has been trying to makeheavy trucks safer ever since, arguing they should be required to haveside guardsto keep pedestrians and cyclists from slipping under the wheels.

It's not clear whether side guards would have made a difference in Monday's accident.

Tougher legislation?

Saint-Laurent borough mayor AlanDeSousahas previously called on the province to take steps to make snow-removal trucks safer.

Side guards have been installed between the front and rear wheels ofthe City of Montreal's fleet, as well as on trucks operated by Beaconsfield, Westmount and Dorval as a direct result ofHolman-Price's death.

But despite official fleets having the side guard rails, private contractors aren't held to the same standard.

"Citizens need to let their elected representatives know that they want this," he told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

Transport Minister Laurent Lessard will discuss the issue as part of a series of public consultations in January.

DeSousahopes these consultations will lead to province-wide legislation.

Beyond side guard rails, he said mirrors, flashing signs andcameras would all help make trucks safer.