Death of a teenager in a bus accident near Pau: the driver tested positive for cocaine

Lily was 16 years old. This teenager died in a bus accident in Monein, near Pau, on Thursday December 26, 2024. The bus hit the shoulder of a departmental road and fell on its right side. Saliva tests carried out by the gendarmerie established that the driver was positive for cocaine.

The 55-year-old man admitted to investigators that he had consumed 1 gram of cocaine two days earlier. The investigation will have to say whether he was still under the influence of drugs when the accident occurred. Other medical examinations may take place. Until then, he was remanded in custody on Saturday evening.

Insomnia and fatigue in side effects

According to the Drugs info service website, the effects of cocaine cannot exceed 2 hours, regardless of the method of consumption, and the drug can be detected in saliva for 24 hours. On the other hand, insomnia and fatigue are among the side effects of taking cocaine.

The driver was presented to the investigating judge of the Pau judicial court on Saturday evening. He is indicted for involuntary manslaughter and involuntary injury by the driver of a vehicle who used drugs. He was imprisoned while awaiting his trial.

The only bus involved in the accident

The bus was the only one involved in the accident. Thursday, on departmental road 2 in Monein, it deviated in a straight line, bit onto the shoulder and overturned on its right side. Three passengers were on board. The other passengers aged 15 and 20 were slightly injured. According to his statements, reported by South Westthe driver would have “felt the bus leaving” without being able to correct the trajectory. He assured the police that he was “driving calmly”. The bus belonged to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Lily had been playing rugby in Lons in the suburbs of Pau for 4 years. A tribute was paid to him ahead of the Top 14 meeting between the Section Paloise and RC Vannes, Saturday at the Hameau stadium in Pau.