A cyclist killed by a motorist, boulevard Malesherbes in Paris. The tragedy of Tuesday, October 15, which cost the life of Paul Varry, could have been quietly added to the litany of news stories dotting the road safety section. But he came to embody a tormented coexistence between cars and bicycles by pushing it to its climax, and awakening among cyclists the awareness of their vulnerability.
It is 5:45 p.m. in western Paris, Tuesday October 15. 27-year-old cyclist hit by SUV driver after “a dispute”according to the term of the Paris prosecutor’s office. Witnesses and video surveillance determined that the driver went up the cycle path for 200 meters and drove over the foot of the cyclist traveling to his left. The latter then hit the hood “to alert the driver, who would initially have backed away, releasing his foot”specifies the Paris prosecutor’s office. The cyclist dropped his bike to stand in front of the car, on the left side, “showing his discontent”. The motorist then turned the wheels in his direction and moved forward. The autopsy confirmed that he had run over her. “The video surveillance shows an elevation of the front, then the rear of the left side of the vehicle”adds the Paris prosecutor’s office, indicating that alcohol and drug screenings were negative.
As of Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into murder, entrusted to 1is judicial police district, the first witnesses having “perceived a voluntary attitude of the driver during the movement of the car towards the cyclist”. After forty-eight hours in police custody, Thursday October 17, the 52-year-old driver was taken to the court depot, in order to be presented to an investigating judge on Friday with a view to potential indictment.
“It’s not an accident, it’s murder”asserts Marion Soulet, spokesperson for Paris en saddle, who knew the victim. Paul Varry was a “active member” of the association: “He demanded that people be able to move around in complete safety and fought to calm the city. » Wednesday evening, hundreds of people came to pay tribute to him at Place de la Madeleine, at the call of the association. And everyone went their own way “it could have been me”says the spokesperson: “Many recounted the incidents they experience on a daily basis, with a less dramatic outcome, but just as much violence. » She denounces “a climate” which, according to her, promotes this road violence, particularly in police treatment: “It is very difficult to be taken seriously when you file a complaint as a cyclist. Even with witnesses, even with cameras. » And to insist: “It’s not inevitable. There are things to do. »
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