“Mathis was a young man with a big heart”
Mathis Filion was a student at Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe.
The mother of the young man who lost his life on Saturday evening on Highway 20, near Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot, delivered a moving tribute to her son, whom she described as a young man with a big heart. and determined.
Mathis bit into life, confided Catherine Corriveau, who wanted to share the qualities of her son, enrolled at Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe in physical education with l' goal of becoming a teacher.
“My son was an extraordinary athlete. He was an exceptional hockey player. He took care of himself. He stayed away from drugs. He had the brightest future ahead of him that a mother could wish for. »
—Catherine Corriveau, mother of Mathis
Saturday afternoon, they took a walk together in their neighborhood of Saint-Hyacinthe. He told her that he was preparing to meet his lover's parents for the first time after two months of dating.
It was the last time she saw him. seen alive.
Saturday evening, around 11:30 p.m., the driver of a white van, Mathieu Veillette, was driving drunk at full speed against the highway in westbound, according to police.
The 24-year-old driver from Williamstown, Ontario caused a head-on collision with the vehicle where Mathis was a passenger and four other occupants.
The latter had no chance and was ejected from the vehicle despite wearing his seat belt. His death was pronounced at the scene of the tragedy.
The accident happened on the Highway 20 in Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot, between Drummondville and Saint-Hyacinthe.
I will never forget when the police came knocking on my door after midnight. I thought it was Mathis coming home, but he couldn't dial the code for the lock to unlock it… I was able to get the ring he was still wearing on my way to the hospital. I needed to have her with me to help me get through this ordeal, she shared, very emotional.
Although their lives are not feared, the other four occupants suffered serious injuries.
My son's death proves that the cause of drunk driving is not is not settled. My son is no longer with me. And it's unfair, she said, hoping that people would eventually understand the seriousness of the gesture.
Mathis worked at the St-Hubert restaurant in Saint-Hyacinthe. One of his colleagues and friends also delivered a moving tribute to him.
Mathis was pure and exemplary authenticity. Regardless of the person he had in front of him, he knew how to put them at ease and find a bond with everyone. He breathed kindness, shared Benjamin Raymond, very shaken by the tragedy.
The serious accident occurred Saturday evening at kilometer 152 of Highway 20, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot.
The driver, who escaped unscathed , is scheduled to appear again next Wednesday at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse.
Mathieu Veillette, 24, now faces six counts, including impaired driving causing death and causing bodily harm.
I dare not imagine being the parents of the driver. Learning that her child took someone's life must also be a tragedy in itself, added Mathis' mother.
Tonight, I am not angry and hatred, mentioned Ms. Corriveau, who expressed her thoughts for the driver's family.
The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions opposed his release pending the continuation legal proceedings.
