An attitude that leaves the families of the victims circumspect. “I think she is in denial, accuses Stéphan, father of a young victim, at the exit of the court. I think it does not say everything. She snapped. It’s understandable. There is still a shock. But I think she’s cracking up because she’s not quite sure what she wants to say. “It was an accident, recalls Sylvain, another dad. It might have happened to everyone, even if it doesn’t happen to everyone. In the file, there are things that leave you perplexed. Was the barrier lifted? It is not impossible. “A delicate question which will have to be decided by the court following three weeks of trial.
That day, while she was carrying college studentsNadine Oliveira crosses level crossing 25 in the municipality of Miles, as she has crossed it hundreds of times since she was hired a few months ago to do this route. And each time, the level crossing was open, and the way completely clear. But this time, as she enters, her bus hits head-on a TER which arrives at the same time. And for five years, contrary to the conclusions of the examining magistrate, certain testimonies and expertise of the SNCF, Nadine Oliveira tirelessly repeats that she is committed because the barrier was open.
A position that she hammered once more at the bar of the court on this first day of trial, she who presents herself as a driver “at ease, careful and conscientious”, and above all in love with her job. “You say that the barrier was open, launches President Céline Ballérini. Did you not see or hear the light and sound signals? Is it possible that you weren’t aware of it by a moment of distraction or dizziness. ” ” Nope ! “, gets carried away Nadine Oliveira, alone in the dock, before bursting into tears. ” You are sure ? “Yes,” Nadine Oliveira lets out a sigh. Several families of victims leave the room, overcome by emotion.
“I woke up on the floor with lots of screams”
“Are you sure because you’re seeing the scene once more or because admitting it would be too difficult?” “Céline Ballérini tries once more. The driver sobs. “I see the scene well. Everything was up, there was no beep. Once engaged, I pick up speed. And nothing more. I wake up on the floor screaming. There were children to my right on the floor. And I tried to get up but I mightn’t move. »
After a suspension of hearing in the face of the emotion of the driver, before the reading of two testimonies of motorists who confirm the version of Nadine Oliveira, two other testimonies, that of two employees parked on the other side of the level crossing just before the accident, come, them, to contradict the version of the driver. At the helm, both tell of having seen the barrier lower, and the school bus force the level crossing until the barrier bends. “For me, she didn’t notice the poor thing,” sighs Georges, one of them. She pushed the barrier. She was very low. She was going slowly. »
“Me, I have my memories, they have theirs,” replies Nadine Oliveira. The tears disappeared. The tone is firm, despite the flood of questions from the lawyers for the civil parties who point out the inconsistencies in this case. “I won’t say they are lying but I have my own memories. “And to repeat once more and once more: “I am categorical. The barrier was open. »
“I didn’t turn my head”
At most, questioned by a lawyer for the civil party who is surprised that the driver did not see the train arrive, Nadine Oliveira concedes: “I looked at the mirrors on the right and on the left, but I did not not turned his head. How might she be sure the gate was open? “I don’t know,” she says in a small voice. I maintain that the barrier was open. »
