It was an “atypical” immediate appearance that the Bergerac court (Dordogne) experienced this Thursday, June 27. Magistrates were to judge a 26-year-old man prosecuted for causing the death and serious injury of two people in a violent road accident, Monday June 24 in Campsegret. Most often, these cases are judged months or even years after the facts.
While the defendant confirmed that he was driving that day under the influence of alcohol (0.97 g/l) and cannabis, and that he did not hold a license, the hearing s focuses on the intentional nature of the offenses. This debate came into the spotlight after the death of the son of the famous chef Yannick Alléno in May 2022. Since then, the latter has been fighting for justice to speak of road homicide. A bill was also examined in March by the Senate.
For Charles Charollois, the prosecutor, there is definitely an “intentional” part when “we commit so much imprudence and violations of the law”. “This is the first time that I have seen a file with so many aggravating circumstances,” he underlined, requesting a sentence of six years in prison and a ten-year ban on obtaining a driving license.
“A story on Snapchat”
On several occasions, the president of the court pointed out the unconsciousness of the young man who lives in Périgueux and works as a maintenance worker. Especially since it was filmed a few seconds before the tragedy, loud music and dancing in the passenger compartment, and even a few minutes after the tragedy. Despite his condition, he insisted on having the wheel of the Audi owned by his friend who had told him to go “no more than 100 meters”. “At first, I wanted to make a story on Snapchat,” explained the defendant, who apologized several times.
In the absence of a second opinion on the blood alcohol level and the presence of THC, the defense considered that the lack of control was the only aggravating circumstance. For Me Morand-Monteil, the sentence requested was “disproportionate” while his client did not deny his responsibilities and was aware of the seriousness of the facts.
The young man was sentenced to five years in prison, one of which was suspended. He is banned from taking a driving license for six years. He was imprisoned following the hearing.
