We know a little more about the profile of the man implicated in the accident which cost the death of the famous Limoges cyclist. This motorist went to the gendarmerie this Sunday, November 10. While in police custody, he admitted the facts and gave initial explanations to investigators. The offense charged is manslaughter aggravated by hit-and-run.
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The famous cyclist from Limoges was hit by a car this Friday, November 8. He died from his injuries the following night at Limoges University Hospital. A call for witnesses had been launched by the Haute-Vienne gendarmes.
This Sunday, the suspect, aged 76, went himself to the gendarmerie to give his version of the facts.
The motorist who is accused of having knocked down the man in blue is therefore a retiree, admitted the facts while in police custody, information confirmed by the courts and the gendarmes, as of this Sunday, November 10.
According to our information this Monday, the motorist, “in shock”, confided that he thought, that evening, he had hit an animal and that, not seeing any clue that could have alerted him, he would not have didn't have the reflex to stop. He would have confided having already hit a deer on this axis.
It was his wife, discovering the tragedy on the news, and the time of the accident, who made the connection and told him to immediately go to the police.
At the time of the accident, the retiree was traveling with his vehicle which was towing a caravan.
At this stage of the investigations, according to the prosecution, it appears that the victim was traveling without a helmet or bib. According to initial findings, the bike's front headlight was working.
According to the prosecution this Monday, November 11, the first analyzes did not reveal the presence of alcohol and, as the accused has no criminal record, police custody was lifted this Sunday evening. But it could resume, as soon as the investigation requires it.
The offense charged is, at the time of publication, manslaughter aggravated by hit-and-run. Investigations are underway and depending on their progress, the classification of the offense could be modified.
The accused faces a sentence of 7 years in prison and a fine of 150,000.
This Sunday, the Limoges public prosecutor's office confirmed the suspect's custody, while specifying that it was waiting to have more information on this very sensitive matter, as the echo was so important in the region, but also in the beyond. Since the announcement of the death, residents and Internet users have multiplied their tributes to this unusual man through texts, photos or illustrations.
This Sunday, November 10, the Minister of Transport, François Durovray, published a message on the social network X concerning this tragedy: “The mission against violence on the road that we have launched is fundamental. All users, especially the most vulnerable, must feel respected and safe. I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Jean-Marc Chatard.”
Story Alexandra Filliot and Isabel Lerouge
