motorist sentenced after death of cyclist on roundabout

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The couple from Erbray (near Châteaubriant) had arrived on vacation the day before in La Turballe (Loire-Atlantique). This July 4, 2022, around 5 p.m., the septuagenarian, “experienced cyclist”, his widow will say, was on the Penker roundabout in La Turballe, riding his electric two-wheeler. At the wheel of her Renault Captur, a resident of Guérande, now 83 years old, also took part. Tuesday November 19, 2024, at the bar of the Saint-Nazaire criminal court, this woman appeared for manslaughter. Very saddened, she confessed: “I saw no one on the left, no one on the right, I got involved and I heard a big boom”. This is the tragedy.

The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, is on the ground. Transported to hospital by helicopter, the retiree died from his injuries. Although a witness, a former firefighter, provided him with first aid.

The president did not overwhelm the octogenarian:

“This accident can happen to anyone, but I always say, at a roundabout, you have to look left, right and left again. »

It is based on expert opinions which stipulate: “The point of impact was inside the roundabout, and the speed, even low, of the car, was necessarily greater than that of the bicycle”.

“I’m sorry”

With tears in her eyes, the defendant, who found herself in court for the first time, declared: “I didn't see anything, I wondered what had happened, I'm sorry.”

Knowing that the defense lawyer will plead for acquittal, M^e Stéphanie Salau, reacts:

“The release is going to be very difficult to hear. This man was not a daredevil, quite the contrary, and his electric vehicle was restricted. »

She describes the serious consequences for her wife, apart from the emotional: “Having a vision problem, she needed him daily”.

The prosecutor, also, does not overwhelm the octogenarian, but recognizes “a careless mistake.” »

Release plead

The magistrate salutes “the dignity of the defendant, the widow and her two daughters during this painful trial”. He requires twelve months suspended prison sentence and a suspension of driving license of four to six months.

The consequences weigh on the life of the Guérandaise. “She thinks about it every day,” says her lawyer.

On the expertise of the speed of the two vehicles, M^e Manon Loarec believes:

“There are hypotheses, no certainties. There is missing data in this report. »

She questions the judges: “Should we consider her responsible? »

As for the suspension of driving licenses, the lawyer insists: “What would the meaning be today? “.

Believing that the doubt should benefit her client, she pleads for release.

But for the court, there was a fault and the octogenarian was sentenced to six months in prison and a six-month suspension of her driving license. She will have to pay the civil party's lawyer's fees, up to €1,500.

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