Striking new details have become known about the carnival drama in the Walloon Strépy in March. A driver then drove his souped-up BMW into a group of carnivalists. Six people were killed and dozens injured. New research shows that 34-year-old Paolo F. drove no less than three times the speed limit in the residential area. “That’s huge,” admits his lawyer.
In the morning of March 20, Paolo F. rode into the carnival procession that was then marching through the streets in Strépy-Bracquegnies in Hainaut. The drama in the Walloon village, a sub-municipality of La Louvière, left six people dead and 37 others injured on Sunday.
Ludicrous speed
The driver later said he was driving too fast. In addition, he appeared to be under the influence. F. is being prosecuted for manslaughter and unintentional assault and battery resulting in death in the context of a traffic accident.
Also in the car was a second person, cousin Nino F., who claims he was “slept in the passenger seat” at the time of the drama. He is accused of not providing aid to those in need. Nino F. is currently free.
Almost 160 kilometers per hour
F. previously stated that he was driving 90 kilometers per hour when he drove into the group of carnivalists on that fateful day, in a car that was also tuned up. Investigations now show that he was driving almost 160 kilometers per hour. The speed limit at the accident site – a residential area – was 50 kilometers per hour. So he drove more than three times faster than allowed. He also had (just) too much alcohol in his blood, and he was filming his frantic ride on his cell phone.
F.’s lawyer submitted a request in May to continue the detention of his client under electronic supervision, i.e. with an ankle bracelet. But the Public Prosecution Service appealed and in June was right. Yesterday F. appeared again before the council chamber in Tournai. His lawyer asked again whether his client could be released with an ankle bracelet. However, the court ruled that the man must remain in jail longer.
“Car as a murder weapon”
It also now appears that he was driving much faster than he previously claimed. “This is not an ‘ordinary’ traffic accident”, responds the lawyer of some victims according to ‘Het Nieuwsblad’. “The perpetrator used his car as a murder weapon and must appear before the court of assizes for his actions.”
Fan of speed
F.’s lawyer had said earlier in the case that “50 or 90 kilometers per hour would have made little difference”. In light of the new info, he has to swallow that controversial statement, he admits.
“The new investigation is clear,” the lawyer acknowledged yesterday, according to the ‘RTBF’. Nearly 100 miles per hour… “That’s huge.” The lawyer did recall that his client has still stepped on the brakes. “In one second, his speed drops by more than 20 kilometers per hour. This shows that he was surprised by the people on the road and that he braked.”
Paolo F., in his thirties with Sicilian roots, is a fan of fast cars and high speeds in general. His driver’s license had already been revoked and he regularly filmed himself driving around at insane speeds. Also during the tragic incident in Strépy. “Obviously it’s indescribably stupid to do that,” his lawyer said.
Also see: Death driver Strépy loves fast cars
Also see: New images show moments just before and after the drama in Strépy
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