Six people were injured early Saturday, September 19, 2026, after a vehicle struck pedestrians at the Festival Western de Saint-Tite in Quebec, Canada. Quebec provincial police arrested a man in his 20s approximately an hour after the incident, which occurred on Saint-Joseph Boulevard in the heart of the festival grounds.
The Canada country festival accident has prompted a criminal investigation, though authorities have stated there is no indication the incident was a terrorist attack or a premeditated act.
The Sûreté du Québec confirmed that all six victims are expected to survive. The incident has drawn attention to safety at one of Eastern Canada’s largest country music events, which was wrapping up its final weekend when the collision occurred.
According to police statements, the collision between a vehicle and pedestrians took place at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Saint-Joseph Boulevard, between Saint-Paul and Du Couvent streets, within the festival site. Witnesses reported seeing police arrive on scene around that time.
The vehicle fled the scene immediately after the impact, according to the Sûreté du Québec. It was later located in the Quebec City region — specifically in the Cap-Rouge sector — at approximately 5:30 a.m., where officers arrested a male suspect.
Police said Saint-Joseph Boulevard would remain closed to vehicle traffic between Du Couvent and Moulin streets for most of Saturday as investigators and technicians processed the scene.
Six pedestrians were transported to hospital following the collision. Radio-Canada reported that the victims are four men and two women aged between 17 and 21. The Sûreté du Québec stated that their injuries ranged from minor to significant, but none were considered life-threatening.
Authorities have not released the names or specific medical conditions of the injured individuals. Radio-Canada reported that the injuries were described as non-life-threatening, though the full extent of each person’s condition has not been publicly detailed by police.
The suspect is a 25-year-old man who was previously unknown to police, according to Radio-Canada. He was arrested in the Quebec City area approximately one hour after the collision and taken into custody for questioning by investigators.
By the end of the day Saturday, the suspect had been released with a promise to appear in court, Radio-Canada reported. The Sûreté du Québec confirmed that he could face charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and hit-and-run causing bodily harm.
Police stated that there was no indication the driver’s abilities were impaired at the time of his arrest, and authorities have ruled out alcohol as a factor.
The suspect allegedly fled the scene after the vehicle struck the pedestrians. According to the Sûreté du Québec, the vehicle was later found in the Quebec City region, and the driver was arrested there at approximately 5:30 a.m. Police have not stated that a pursuit occurred prior to the arrest, nor have they indicated that the driver attempted to evade officers after being located.
The sequence of events — the collision, the flight from the scene, and the subsequent location of the vehicle and arrest — has been confirmed by police, but specific details about how the vehicle was found or whether the driver was observed by officers before the arrest have not been fully disclosed.
A criminal investigation is underway, led by the Sûreté du Québec. Police have stated that investigators are examining the possibility that an altercation between the driver and other individuals preceded the collision.
Authorities have explicitly ruled out terrorism and have stated that there is no indication the incident was premeditated, such as a deliberate vehicle-ramming attack. Police have also ruled out impaired driving as a factor.
Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and examine evidence from the scene. The vehicle involved has been located and is presumably part of the investigation, though police have not provided details about its examination.
Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière stated that there had been an argument among several individuals that deteriorated into violence, according to CBC News.
Saint-Tite is a municipality of approximately 4,000 residents located in the Mauricie region of Quebec, about 200 kilometers northeast of Montreal and roughly 45 minutes north of Trois-Rivières. The town is situated between Montreal and Quebec City.
The Festival Western de Saint-Tite is a 10-day annual event held each September, featuring professional rodeos, country music performances, and western-themed activities. The festival began in 1967 as a promotional rodeo organized by G.A. Boulet Inc., a local leather goods company specializing in western boots. It has since grown into one of Eastern Canada’s largest western attractions, drawing over 700,000 visitors annually according to festival and tourism sources.
The event has been recognized as the “Best Outdoor Rodeo in North America” and features a parade, dance competitions, and a town-wide western transformation in which residents and businesses decorate their properties in country-western style. The 2026 edition was the festival’s 58th.
Following the collision, emergency responders transported the six injured individuals to hospital. The Sûreté du Québec confirmed the victims were taken to hospital with varying injuries.
Police officers secured the scene and closed Saint-Joseph Boulevard to vehicle traffic between Du Couvent and Moulin streets for most of Saturday while investigators and technicians worked. The closure remained in effect as the investigation continued.
Festival organizers stated that they were cooperating with authorities and emphasized that safety remained their priority. The organization operates a security operations center and maintains more than 60 cameras on the festival site, according to Radio-Canada.
Festival organizers confirmed that Saturday’s activities would proceed as planned despite the early morning incident. In a statement, the festival described the collision as “an isolated incident beyond our control” and expressed that their thoughts were with those involved and their families.
“The safety of our festival-goers, volunteers, and staff remains our top priority. The Festival is a festive event where everyone should feel safe. That’s why every effort is being made to ensure this,” the organizers said.
However, the section of Saint-Joseph Boulevard where the collision occurred remained closed to vehicle traffic throughout Saturday.
The incident occurred on a day when three Quebec political party leaders — Charles Milliard of the Quebec Liberals, Christine Fréchette of Coalition Avenir Québec, and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of the Parti Québécois — were scheduled to visit the festival as part of their election campaign activities. All three expressed condolences to the victims on social media.
Several key details about the incident remain unresolved as of Saturday evening. Police have not confirmed a definitive motive for the collision, though they have stated that an altercation may have preceded it. Authorities have not ruled out or confirmed whether the incident was intentional, though they have said there is no indication of premeditation.
The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation. Police have not released information about the speed of the vehicle at the time of impact, nor have they detailed the sequence of events that led to the vehicle striking the pedestrians.
Additionally, the final medical status of the six injured individuals has not been updated by authorities. While initial reports indicated non-life-threatening injuries, no further condition updates have been provided.
The Sûreté du Québec’s criminal investigation is ongoing. The suspect has been released with a promise to appear, meaning he is not currently in custody but is required to return to court at a future date.
Potential charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and hit-and-run causing bodily harm have been identified by police, but formal charges have not yet been announced. The decision on whether to proceed with charges will likely rest with prosecutors following the completion of the police investigation.
Investigators are expected to continue interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage from the festival’s camera system, and examining physical evidence from the scene. No timeline for the investigation’s conclusion has been provided.
Where did the Canada country festival accident happen?
The incident occurred on Saint-Joseph Boulevard in Saint-Tite, Quebec, within the site of the Festival Western de Saint-Tite. The town is located approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Montreal.
How many people were injured at the festival?
Six people were injured. They are four men and two women aged between 17 and 21, according to Radio-Canada. All were transported to hospital with injuries that police described as non-life-threatening.
Was the driver arrested?
Yes. A 25-year-old man was arrested at approximately 5:30 a.m. in the Quebec City region, about an hour after the collision. He was released later Saturday with a promise to appear in court. Police have indicated he may face charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and hit-and-run causing bodily harm.
Did police say the driver tried to flee?
The suspect allegedly fled the scene after the vehicle struck the pedestrians, according to the Sûreté du Québec. The vehicle was later located in the Quebec City area, where the arrest took place. Police have not stated that a vehicle pursuit occurred.
What is Festival Western de Saint-Tite?
It is a 10-day annual country music and rodeo festival held each September in Saint-Tite, Quebec. Founded in 1967, it has grown into one of Eastern Canada’s largest western events, attracting over 700,000 visitors annually. It features professional rodeos, music performances, a parade, and western-themed activities.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes. The Sûreté du Québec’s criminal investigation is ongoing. Police have ruled out terrorism and impaired driving but continue to examine the circumstances, including the possibility that an altercation preceded the collision.
Has a motive been confirmed?
No. Police have not confirmed a motive. Authorities have stated there is no indication the incident was premeditated and have described it as possibly stemming from an argument that deteriorated into violence. The investigation is continuing.