The driver (45) who crashed into a group of cycling tourists in Ghent on Sunday had not had a valid driver’s license for ten years. He was convicted of driving under the influence in both 2009 and 2014. The man got behind the wheel again this weekend, with fatal consequences. An investigating judge decided on Monday that the man will remain in custody.
The driver (45) who crashed into a group of cycling tourists in the Pantserschipstraat in Ghent on Sunday should never have gotten behind the wheel. That is the painful realization a day after the facts. Two cycling tourists lost their lives. The driver had almost three alcohol levels and had lost his driver’s license after several previous convictions. He did not have a valid driver’s license for ten years.
On November 20, 2009, he was convicted for the first time for ‘serious intoxication and ignoring a traffic sign’ on January 3 that year. The man was brought before the police court in Ghent and was sentenced to a 45-day driving ban and a 1,100 euro fine. This is evident from the verdict. Nothing more is known about the circumstances of the accident.
Hard-nosed repeat offender
On Christmas Day 2012, the man was arrested again for ‘intoxication and drunkenness’. On May 9, 2014, he had to appear before the Ghent police court, but the man himself failed to appear. He was again banned from driving for 45 days, fined 1,200 euros and also had to retake his medical and psychological tests if he wanted to get his driver’s license back later.
But the driver never did that or failed to successfully complete his tests. Yet the driver got behind the wheel on Sunday with fatal consequences. The traffic expert’s initial investigation shows that the accident was caused by a steering error in combination with excessive speed. The man was also under the influence.
Night in the cell
Two of the cyclists, two 45-year-old men from Lochristi, did not survive the collision. Gino Primo (57) was seriously injured and told his story on Sunday. “That car came at super high speed. By the time he got to me it was already over.” I flew over his car. But my friends died instantly.” Two other cycling friends were able to narrowly avoid the collision.
The driver was questioned on Sunday evening and spent a night in jail. The East Flemish public prosecutor’s office decided to bring him before the investigating judge. It decided on Monday that the man will remain arrested on suspicion of unintentional killing of the two deceased cyclists, unintentional assault and battery on the cyclist who was injured, and driving despite driving. “Further investigation is ongoing,” the public prosecutor’s office said. “The traffic expert has not yet determined the exact speed at which the driver was traveling.”
