Boy orphaned by Saguenay, Que., collision dies in hospital

A four-year-old boy involved in a collision that killed his parents over the weekend in Saguenay, Que., has died in hospital.

His mother and father, Mathieu Perron and Vanessa Viger, who was pregnant, were pronounced dead a few hours after the crash, which happened on Saturday evening.

Yves Martin, 35, has been charged with dangerous driving, impaired driving and criminal negligence causing death after his pickup truck collided with the family's vehicle.

Saguenay police said many witnesses reported the driver of the pickup was travelling at a high speed.

Martin has two previous drunk driving convictions.

Prosecutor Marie-Josée Hamelin Gagnon said he could face further charges depending on the results of lab tests measuring alcohol level.

"We're to evaluate the evidence at that time," Gagnon told reporters on Monday.

Martin is being detained until his next court appearance on Friday in Chicoutimi.

His lawyer, Jean-Marc Fradette, said his client's "thoughts are with the family after this tragic accident."

Hubert Sacy, director general of the non-profit organization Éduc'alcool, told CBC's Radio Noon the solution to preventing drunk driving accidents is simple.

He said repeat drunk driving offenders should be required for life to use an ignition interlock device, which prevents a driver from starting the car without a clean breath sample.

"A driving licence is not a fundamental right. It's a privilege," he said.