Pierre Palmade facing justice and isolation. After his tragic accident in February 2023, the comedian was sentenced to prison for unintentional injuries. But beyond the verdict, it is the abandonment of those close to him that causes people to react. Pascal Praud, in a powerful column, denounces the defections of those around him when the spotlight was still on him.
On February 10, 2023, on a departmental road in Seine-et-Marne, Pierre Palmade, driving his Peugeot 3008, violently collides with a vehicle carrying a family. The driver, his six-year-old son and a six-month-old pregnant woman were seriously injured, and the latter lost her baby as a result of the impact.
Toxicological analyzes reveal that the comedian was driving under the influence of cocaine and other substances, amplifying the emotion aroused by the affair. Also injured, Pierre Palmade quickly expressed his remorse, declaring that he “realized the seriousness of his actions”. An investigation into aggravated involuntary injuries is opened, leading to a highly anticipated trial.
Pierre Palmade sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment, including two years in prison
On November 20, before the Melun court, Pierre Palmade answered for his actions. The highly publicized trial returned to the details of the accident and its consequences. The victims' lawyers thus insisted on the lasting psychological and physical impact they suffered while the comedian, visibly moved, reaffirmed having changed, recognizing “a spiral of self-destruction” which had led him to this irresponsible behavior. Unfortunately, if he once again asked the victims for forgiveness, these remain indifferent, just like justice. Finally, the comedian was sentenced to five years in prison, including three years suspended on probation and compulsory treatment.
Pierre Palmade's friends take off, Pascal Praud cashes in on this reversal
After the tragedy, Pierre Palmade found himself isolated, with many relatives distancing themselves. And if Muriel Robin, a long-time friend, says: “We obviously don’t let go of a friend”others have not shown the same loyalty. In a poignant column published this November 24 in the Sunday newspaperPascal Praud deplores these defections, even if according to him, This rejection is almost inevitable when a public figure descends into scandal.
“Palmade does not embody evil; this evil that he did not want. He appeared for involuntary injuries even if driving while drunk or on cocaine borders on moral misconduct.”, he tries to defend. The CNews journalist goes on to deplore how a public fall transforms an admired figure into persona non grata: “I remember how proud they all were to pose for the photo alongside him in Paris Match when the comedian shone in the light. I remember how they demonstrated their closeness with smiles and declarations. Peter here, Peter there. The party is over. 'Courage let's flee', is the watchword. And too bad if his friends knew about his excesses before the tragedy. […] It was necessary for his addiction to become public, for it to cause an accident, for the fear of being splashed to force him to take off. 'The rats are leaving the ship,' they sometimes say.” Friendships in the spotlight shine as much light as they visibly burn.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, proofread, corrected and enriched by the editorial journalists.
