Two days following the tragedy that left 6 dead and a dozen injuredsome of whom are still in critical condition, the two occupants of the car that overturned the group were charged, not with murder, as the facts had been qualified at first, but with manslaughter on the part of the driver, and non-assistance to a person in danger in the case of the passenger.
Only one would have been placed under arrest warrant: the driver, Paolo F., from the Louviéroise entity. This is what the latter’s lawyer told us following the very long interrogation of the investigating judge on Monday evening. The passenger would have been released on conditions.
Reminder of the essential information this Tuesday:
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The driver of a car drove into the crowd preparing for the carnival festivities in Strépy-Bracquegnies this Sunday around 5 a.m.. The Gilles then proceeded to the traditional pickup (the moment when the Gilles go from house to house to retrieve their limbs) from society”The bouts in train“. The group was at that time in the rue des Canadiens near the Sports Hall, and headed for the city center.
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The toll is heavy: 6 victims died on the spot10 victims in serious condition were transported to various hospitals in the region, 27 people were injured more lightly.
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The six people who died are called Frederic, Laure, Mario, Micaela, Salvatore and Frederic. They were active in the sporting and associative life of their region.
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Lis profiles of the two people inside the vehicle that drove into the crowd become clearer. Paolo and his cousin, born in 1988 and 1990 respectively, both come from La Louvière. This Sunday they came back from a nightclub. Paolo was driving.
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Toxicological tests were carried out. The first results show 0.29mg/ liter of exhaled alveolar air for the driver, Paolo F. The authorized limit is maximum 0.21 mg/litre of exhaled air. Note that from 0.22 mg and up to 0.35 mg we speak of mild alcoholic intoxication, resulting in light penalties. The license withdrawal takes place atabove 0.35mg/litre of exhaled air. The saliva tests for the drug would be negative but we have to wait for the results of the blood tests.