A tragedy of road violence in the heart of Paris

A shocking tragedy occurred on Tuesday, October 15, in the heart of Paris. At around 5.45pm, on Boulevard Malesherbes, near Place de la Madeleine, a motorist fatally struck a 27-year-old cyclist after a violent altercation. According to information from Actu17, confirmed by H24 MEDIA, the driver, a 52-year-old man, was transporting his 17-year-old daughter at the time of the incident. According to several witnesses, he deliberately drove into the victim, an act described by the authorities as deliberate.

The scene, described as “violent and shocking”, left a deep impression on witnesses at the scene. The cyclist, who could not be resuscitated by paramedics, was a member of the Paris en Selle association. In tribute to his memory, a rally is planned for Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in front of the Madeleine church, with the participation of the associations Mieux se Déplacer à Bicyclette and the Vélo Île-de-France collective.

Murder investigation opened

The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened a murder investigation, and the suspect has been taken into custody. Jeanne d’Hauteserre, mayor of the 8th arrondissement, expressed her emotion at this tragic act, as did David Belliard, deputy mayor of Paris, who denounced on social networks the resurgence of road violence in the capital. Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, reacted with indignation, deeming it “unacceptable to die at 27 while cycling in Paris”. She called for firm and severe sanctions against such acts.

This tragedy comes against an alarming backdrop, as 226 cyclists lost their lives on French roads in 2023, marking a third consecutive year above the 200 fatality mark.