LAVAL, Que. — An exhaustive police investigation and subsequent review by the Crown, has determined the lack of an adequate support brace led to the fatal disintegration of an overpass last summer.

The collapse of the Souvenir Blvd. viaduct onto Hwy. 15 in Laval, Que. claimed the life of Gilbert Vinson, 50, of Morin Heights. He and two friends, Louis Gauthier and Mark Valley, were driving south along the Laurentians Autoroute on June 18, when the new portion of the overpass suddenly caved in on their car.

Gauthier, 47, and 50-year-old Valley were seriously injured, but survived the ordeal. None of the parties involved are known to be launching legal claims seeking damages.

A statement by the Montreal prosecutors’ office says no criminal charges will be laid in connection with the accident.

“The proof didn’t reveal the commission of a crime that showed reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons as listed in Article 219 of the Criminal Code,” the brief statement reads.

The investigation included 20,000 documents and the testimony of approximately 150 witnesses. A coroner’s inquest will be held this fall.