On Wednesday, a car hit the terrace of a café in the twentieth arrondissement of Paris, causing the death of one person and injuring six others. According to a police source, the hypothesis of an accident is currently favored.
A tragic accident in the 20th arrondissement of Paris
Mourad, an employee of a restaurant on Avenue du Père-Lachaise, is recovering from a shocking event. On Wednesday, July 17 around 7:30 pm, he witnessed a terrible scene: a car crashed into the terrace of Café Le Ramus, located near his workplace. Authorities are leaning towards the road accident theory, and the toll is heavy: one person dead and six injured, three of them in serious condition.
Mourad, still in shock, recounts: “I was there, on the terrace, and I saw a car passing by at about 80km/h. That’s a huge speed here: this street is not really frequented by cars. It’s a dead-end. It’s quiet, it’s calm here. Five seconds later, I heard a crash: the car had completely entered the terrace.”
An arrest and an ongoing investigation
The driver of the car, tested positive for alcohol and drugs, was apprehended in the evening by authorities, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. He was placed in custody for “involuntary manslaughter, involuntary injuries by driver, and endangerment”. The investigation has been entrusted to the Judicial Accident Processing Service (STJA), and the police checked for explosives in the vehicle.
The vehicle, a dark Toyota, remained at the entrance of the bar, the hood completely bent, at the end of Wednesday evening. A tarp was set up in front of the terrace to hide the tables and the car. Mourad, moved, testifies: “I saw a body, but I didn’t intervene because I didn’t know what to do. The police were there quickly because the police station is right next door. Honestly, it’s crazy, it’s a shock.”
Psychological follow-up and painful reminders
A psychological unit has been set up at the town hall of the district to prioritize the 23 witnesses of the tragedy, who are deeply shocked. Although the hypothesis of a terrorist attack has been ruled out by investigators, this incident recalls the attacks of November 13, 2015, which targeted terraces in eastern Paris. These events come nine days before the opening of the Olympic Games, for which a significant security system will be put in place.
Article Source: Francetvinfo.
Pascal Petibon, born in 1980 in Lyon, is a renowned journalist and author, passionate about information and communication. After earning a degree in journalism from the University of Paris, he quickly joined various editorial teams, where he became known for his sharp analysis and clear writing style.
