At around 0.30 am, the girl rode her bicycle along Meensesteenweg from the city center to the roundabout at the former swimming pool. According to witnesses, a car from the other direction suddenly came off the roundabout with screeching tires at high speed. The motorist lost control of the steering wheel, went over two small center conductors and collided with an electrical box and pole on the other side of the road. Just before the blow to the cupboard and pole, the car knocked over the girl on the bicycle. Emergency services tried to resuscitate her, but to no avail. She died on the spot.
In a first reaction, the family of Marthe H. reacts very excited. “Marthe was a ray of sunshine, always smiling,” said an aunt. “Whoever saw Marthe saw her smile. It’s incomprehensible. “She was at the beginning of her life. After some traveling and working, she was going to study in Ghent next year, together with a lot of friends and nieces. She was really looking forward to that.” Besides many friends, Marthe leaves behind parents Philippe and Bieke, respected entrepreneurs in the Roeselare region, and brothers Arthur and Simon.
The 24-year-old motorist from Roeselare has been arrested by the police for questioning. He was under the influence of alcohol and his driver’s license has already been revoked for 15 days.