We know a little more about the circumstances of the accident which occurred Friday evening in Eyjeaux and which cost the life of the one everyone called “the man in blue” in Limoges. But there are still points to be clarified, said the Limoges public prosecutor's office this Monday evening.
And 76 year old man presented himself spontaneously late Sunday morning at the gendarmerie. Automatically placed in police custody, as provided for in the procedure, the septuagenarian admitted to having hit something. But, on this departmental 979, after Feytiat, there is no more lighting and in the past the driver had already hit an animal on this road. So this Friday evening, he continued on his way. When he arrived home, he even noticed the damage on his rearview mirror. It was only the next day, when he heard about the call for witnesses launched by the gendarmes in the press, that he made the connection.
Heard by investigators, the retiree was released. He doesn't have no criminal record, adds Emilie Abrantès, public prosecutor of Limoges. The preliminary investigation continues for manslaughter and hit-and-run, for the moment.
Because, “the man in blue”, whose real name is Jean-Marc Chatard, was not wearing a helmet or bib, but he was driving with his front light in working order, the prosecution further specifies. On the other hand, investigations have yet to reveal whether the rear lighting was in operation.
Tributes and a gathering
In the meantime, the rain of tributes to “the man in blue” continues. Tribute from public figures such as the president of the Haute-Vienne departmental council, Jean-Claude Leblois, and even the Minister of Transport. But also and above all many anonymous people, who remember this very special cyclist with his overalls and rubber boots, always on his bike. This is particularly the case for Kévin Marsaudon. This roofer based in Vienne lived in Limoges for a long time and encountered the “man in blue” especially towards the station and on his way up to the town hall.
The emotion surrounding the death of the “man in blue” will also result in a tribute “apolitical and open to all” Saturday November 16 in Limogesthe location will be specified later. Initiative of the Véli-Vélo association of Limoges, whose President is Aymeric Moulin: “Paying tribute to the “man in blue” is also to warn about the safety of cyclists and to remind us that quite a few of them risk their lives on a daily basis. At the beginning of September, there was an accident not far from where “the man in blue” diedroads, particularly departmental roads, should be secured as quickly as possible. We know that there are more accidents in urban areas, but which are less dangerous and outside urban areas they are less numerous, but often more serious.”
