Nez Rouge drive-home turns violent during car break down

Belinda Blake has been volunteering with holiday-time drive-home service Nez Rouge for 10 years, but had never had a single violent altercation — until last week.

• Operation Nez Rouge underway for 31st consecutive season
• Operation Nez Rouge gives nearly 6,000 rides in Quebec on Saturday

Blake and a volunteer driver picked up three people early Sunday morning from a Hochelaga-Maisonneuve bar and was taking them home to the South Shore when the car they were travelling in broke down.

One of the passengers got upset when the driver pulled over to the side of the highway in Longueuil.

Blake said the drunk man tried to snatch the keys away and get into the driver’s seat to drive himself home.

"He got angry at me and he strangled and pushed me, but I got away from him. I took the keys, I put them in my pocket and I waited until the police came," Blake said.

Blake called Longueuil police and the 26-year-old man was arrested for assault.  

David Latouche of Nez Rouge said such problems are rare, but the organization can’t guarantee absolute safety for its volunteers.

"We are dealing with people who may be under the influence of alcohol and may not be in control of what they say or what they do. Zero risk is not possible in those conditions," Latouche said.

Despite the incident, Blake said she will be back in action tonight, for one of the busiest nights of the holiday season.

"Knowing that I'm able to help people and help people get home safely for the holidays makes it worth it," she said.