Municipal police officer charged with death by dangerous driving following chase in Oise
A municipal police officer in Oise has been charged with death by dangerous driving after a fatal chase near Margny-lès-Compiègne. This is the first such case since the law on death by dangerous driving was passed last year.
Fatal chase in Oise: municipal police officer charged
According to Radio France - Justice, a municipal police officer in Oise has been charged with death by dangerous driving following a chase triggered after a failure to comply with police signals near Margny-lès-Compiègne (60). The incident occurred during the night of Friday to Saturday. A man from the Traveller community died in a crash that occurred several kilometres further on.
Many unclear areas remain regarding the precise circumstances of the tragedy. The initial account of events indicated that the police officers arrived at the scene after the driver's crash. The Compiègne public prosecutor's office does not confirm this version, whilst offering no alternative explanation.
"There is still further investigation to be done," emphasised Caroline Gaziot, public prosecutor for the Republic at Compiègne. She considers, however, that there are sufficient grounds to "hold the municipal police officer who initiated the chase responsible". A judicial investigation has been opened.
This is a first for a police officer since the law on death by dangerous driving came into force last year.
Source: Radio France - Justice