The shock was so violent that “his body was thrown 23 meters from the place of impact”, recalls Me Alexia Brochard, from the Chambolle and associates firm, this Tuesday, November 26, before the Mont-de-Marsan judicial court. He died on the spot a few minutes later. “Next year, I will be 60 years old and there will be only one person left to celebrate it,” shares, with great emotion and dignity, Christophe Russeil, his twin. “My brother died because a man decided to turn left,” says the man.
“A driving error”
“We lived in shared accommodation for nine months in our mother's womb, went to hotel school, the Navy, the Lebanese war together, passed our car license, our motorcycle license also together. We went through life together. » And today, only him remains on the civil party's bench to make it clear who this biker was knocked down due to lack of attention.
Laurent Russeil has been riding motorcycles for over 40 years.
Photo C. R.
“I made a driving error which, unfortunately, was fatal,” admits the defendant, wearing a shiny black Pyrénex down jacket. My life has not been the same since this tragedy. I assume my responsibilities, I cannot ignore them. I would like to apologize to his family. I just didn't see it. »
Investigators have tried to determine the circumstances of the tragedy. Having held a driving license for three years, this young resident of Serres-Gaston has never lost a point. He had just rested and was going to visit his mother. “He was carried away by the habits that we all have. And did not see this biker,” pleads his counsel Me Jean-Bernard Peneau, who specifies that his client had started the process of obtaining his motorcycle license. “He was aware of their presence on the road. »
Damage to affection
The public prosecutor recalls: “When you put the key in the ignition, you find yourself with a deadly device in your hands.” Eighteen months in prison are required, including six months in prison, accompanied by the wearing of an electronic bracelet.
Boilermaker in aviation, the Landais was sentenced to two years in prison with a simple suspended sentence. “That means for five years you have two years in prison hanging over your head if you commit a new offense. Because of this driving error with dramatic consequences, the death of a person, your license is canceled and you are prohibited from repeating it for six months. »
