Almost two weeks after the tragic accident on Avenue Coligny in La Rochelle, in which Margot, 10 years old, lost her life, the public prosecutor indicates to “ …
Almost two weeks after the tragic accident on Avenue Coligny in La Rochelle, in which Margot, 10 years old, lost her life, the public prosecutor indicated to “Sud Ouest”, this Tuesday, June 18, that the motorist involved in the collision could be heard.
To investigators, the 83-year-old Rochelaise explained that she felt unwell and did not realize that she had hit a group of cyclists. The driver is still being cared for in a care facility. Following his hospitalization, he was fitted with a pacemaker.
On Wednesday June 6, the vehicle she was driving hit a group of 12 children who were going by bike, with their leaders from the leisure center, to Franck-Delmas park.
Manslaughter
The tragedy occurred on a section limited to 30 km/h. According to the first elements of the investigation, the driver was traveling at normal speed and did not seem distracted by a telephone or any other object when she deviated from her path. On the day of the facts, during her very first hearing, before her state of health forced her to be lifted from police custody, she indicated that she was looking to the right when arriving at the intersection, not realizing that her vehicle was moving towards the group of cyclists who were following each other in single file.
Viewing the video surveillance cameras shows her continuing her journey without braking. It was a witness who helped her stop. The octogenarian remained prostrate in his Twingo for a long time. The screenings were negative.
An investigation has been opened for homicide and unintentional injuries. In total, six children were injured. Last week, two children aged 9 and 10 were still hospitalized in Poitiers.
