Paolo F, the driver of the BMW who killed 6 and injured 10 when he hit a group of gilles head-on at the Strépy-Bracquegnies carnival on Sunday, is currently imprisoned in Tournai prison. He was charged with manslaughter and involuntary bodily harm causing death without intent. The passenger in the car is accused of failing to assist a person in danger but was released.
The blood alcohol test had revealed that the driver was under the slight influence of alcohol since his alcohol level was 0.29mg per liter of exhaled alveolar air. But this Thursday, we learn that the driver might have been under the influence of another product. Indeed, according to information relayed by our colleagues from Sudinfo, a nitrous oxide capsule was found in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Better known as laughing gas, this type of capsule is normally used in whipped cream dispensers, but for several years its primary use has been diverted to recreational purposes. Indeed, inhaled, the gas causes a certain hilarity and auditory and visual illusions for several minutes.
However, the information has not yet been confirmed by the Mons prosecutor’s office. Unfortunately, nitrous oxide leaves very little trace in the blood, so it is difficult to prove it. If the highway code does not explicitly prohibit the use of these capsules while driving, they can still be considered a form of soft drug. They are therefore obviously prohibited and dangerous, since they affect the driver’s ability to react.
It should be noted that Master Discepoli, Paolo F’s lawyer, told our colleagues at Sudinfo that his client had declared during his hearing that he had not consumed nitrous oxide. Maitre Benzerfa, the passenger’s lawyer, Nino F, explained to him that his client did not use any drugs.
