Bus driver charged in Laval daycare crash to undergo psychiatric evaluation

Pierre Ny St-Amand, the man charged in connection with the alleged bus attack at a Laval daycare that killed two children and hospitalized six others, will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The 51-year-old driver with the Laval transit corporation was escorted by two corrections officers into the courthouse Friday. St-Amand was limping while he walked.

As he stood before the judge, St-Amand’s eyes were closed and his hair was dishevelled. He was held up by at least three officers during his short time in court in Laval, just north of Montreal.

The accused will undergo a psychiatric evaluation in the coming days, as requested by his defence lawyer Julien Lespérance Hudon. He told the judge that his client seems responsive at times, but at other times he doesn’t respond or answer questions.

After the appearance, Lespérance Hudon told reporters the evaluation will determine if St-Amand is fit to stand trial — and if so, when.

Quebec court Judge Carol Richer asked that the evaluation take place before the case returns to court next week. St-Amand’s next appearance is set for Friday, Feb. 24.

St-Amand is facing a total of nine charges: two counts of first-degree murder and seven other offences, including attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Laval police arrested St-Amand at the scene on the morning of Feb. 8. A city bus careened into the Garderie Éducative Ste-Rose around 8:30 a.m. during the busy drop-off period.

The young victims killed in the crash have been identified as Jacob Gauthier, four years old, and Maëva David, who was five. A private ceremony was held for Jacob this week, while funeral details for Maëva have not been announced.

Six other children were injured and taken to Montreal-area hospitals in wake of the crash.

— with files from the Canadian Press

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