VARENNES, Québec — A serious traffic collision on Route Marie-Victorin, also known as Route 132, caused significant travel disruption across the Montérégie region on Thursday, May 22, 2026, prompting a large emergency response and extended traffic delays throughout the day. Authorities confirmed that police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and collision investigators were dispatched to the scene after reports of a major roadway accident involving multiple vehicles along the heavily traveled corridor.
According to preliminary reports, the crash occurred during the morning commute on a busy section of Route 132 in Varennes, an area frequently used by commuters traveling between Montréal and neighboring municipalities along Québec’s South Shore. Witnesses reported hearing emergency sirens and seeing traffic rapidly come to a standstill as emergency responders secured the scene and began assisting those involved in the collision.
Municipal officials and the Sûreté du Québec confirmed that specialized collision reconstruction teams were called to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. While the exact number of injuries and the identities of those involved had not been officially released at the time of reporting, authorities stated that the collision caused extensive traffic congestion in both eastbound and westbound directions for several hours.
Drivers traveling toward Montréal experienced especially severe delays as portions of the roadway were partially closed to allow investigators and emergency crews to process the scene safely. Local authorities urged motorists to avoid the area whenever possible and use alternate routes, including Highway 30 and surrounding municipal roads, while cleanup and investigative efforts continued throughout the afternoon.
Emergency crews from the Varennes Fire Department, Montérégie paramedic services, and provincial police remained at the location well into the day. Investigators worked under controlled traffic conditions while documenting evidence and examining the sequence of events that led to the collision. Officials have not yet confirmed whether weather conditions, speed, or mechanical issues may have contributed to the accident.
The incident quickly gained attention across social media platforms, where residents shared updates regarding road closures and unusually heavy congestion affecting surrounding communities. Many commuters described traffic backups stretching across multiple connecting roads as transportation officials attempted to reroute vehicles away from the affected section of Route Marie-Victorin.
As of Thursday evening, authorities continued urging drivers to remain cautious while traveling through the area and to monitor official traffic advisories for updated road conditions. Additional details regarding injuries, possible charges, or the cause of the crash are expected to be released once the investigation advances further.
