Two-year suspended prison sentence for the murderer of Lucie, a 29-year-old cyclist broke in Toulouse
On August 29, 2019, around 6 a.m., boulevard Netwiller in the Croix Daurade district of Toulouse, a driver in his thirties violently hit Lucie, a young 29-year-old cyclist, who was traveling in the same direction. than him (in the Albi-Borderouge direction). The young woman is projected about twenty meters from the front, seriously injured, she died a few days later in the hospital as a result of her injuries. The man had been partying all night, had consumed alcohol (1.31 grams per liter of blood), cocaine, and was driving, according to the expert cited at the hearing, between 82 and 90 km/hour on the boulevard limited to 50 km/hour.
Alcohol, cocaine and excessive speed
The motorist was sentenced on Thursday to a two-year suspended prison sentence with cancellation of the driving license for manslaughter with aggravating circumstances. He is prohibited from retaking his license for three years. He appeared free, under judicial control, two and a half years after the facts. The man does not have the profile of a “delinquent long-haul trucker“ underlines his lawyer, he has all his points on his license, no criminal record.
According to investigators, it was still dark the morning of the tragedy, the roadway was perfectly lit. It is unclear whether the cyclist was riding on the bike path or on the road, she was not equipped with a helmet or reflective vests (not mandatory). There are no CCTV cameras in this area.
A proven audience
The pain of the family and loved ones of the victim is still as intense. Friends of Lucie, her parents are present at the hearing, as well as her sister. Lots of tears. Lucie’s mother describes a young woman who “loved life“, for whom the days were always too short,”everything she did, she did it thoroughly“. She trained as a graphic designer, drew, played music, sang in a choir, “life is only a pedal stroke away“. Lucie was still riding her bike in Toulouse, where she had lived for seven years.
The mother does not want to hear about an accident : “he endangered my daughter, he was totally unable to drive and took his car“. She would like this man to never be allowed to drive again.
I don’t care about pain. This trial appeases nothing, completes nothing. You took my sister’s life and continue to take it from me every day.
Lucie’s sister testifiese at the bar, she recounts the laughter with her sister, their complicity, she familiarizes the defendant and challenges him, she would like an explanation of his behavior. She talks about the hospital, the cemetery. At the time of the argument of the defense lawyer, she can not hear more and slams the door of the criminal court.
“I thought I had hit an animal”
The defendant initially thought he had hit an animal that morning, “but the shock must have made a loud noise, yet you did not stop immediately“asks the president of the court. He explains that he drove a few meters, to a roundabout, noting that his front wheel was no longer rolling, he then got out of his vehicle and saw the extent of the damage. then ran to the victim and called the SAMU.
“You ordered an Uber that took you back to your car that morning, passing within 300 yards of your home, why didn’t you get home in your state ?” asks the president. “I have been rehashing this question for 2 and a half years, I have no explanation“replied the defendant. Between sobs, he explained that he only consumed alcohol to party with his friends. The 30-year-old apologized to the family.
Road violence
An audience closely followed by the associations of Toulouse cyclists: 2 feet 2 wheels and Velorution. On May 27, the two associations organized a minute of silence lying down with bicycles in memory of Lucie, and installed a white bicycle on the scene of the tragedy. In one year, between 2019 and 2020, 5 cyclists lost their lives in Toulouse.