Cyclist killed in Paris: a “violent and shocking” act, a motorist arrested

After an altercation on the public highway, a motorist is suspected of having run over a cyclist with his vehicle this Tuesday in Paris. An investigation for “murder” has been opened.

This Tuesday, October 15, a 27-year-old cyclist died after being run over by the driver of an SUV, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris after a dispute between the two road users, according to information from Actu 17. The victim died despite the intervention of the emergency services, the 52-year-old driver was arrested and taken into custody.

An investigation for “murder” was opened by the Paris prosecutor's office and “entrusted to the 1st district of the judicial police”, BFMTV specifies. According to the first elements of this investigation, “the driver of the SUV allegedly cut off the cyclist” on Boulevard Malesherbes around 5:45 p.m., Actu 17 indicates. The cyclist then allegedly hit the hood of the car before tempers flared up, the motorist started off again and rolled over on the two-wheeler. The scene was “violent and shocking”, according to the mayor of the 8th arrondissement Jeanne d'Hauteserre, contacted by France Bleu Paris.

“These acts must be severely condemned”, believes Anne Hidalgo

The scene took place at an intersection between Boulevard Malesherbe and Rue Boissy d'Anglas. The intersection is considered dangerous by local residents, as vehicles must respect a give-way sign and ensure that there are no cyclists before entering. “The first witnesses having noticed a deliberate attitude of the driver during the movement of the car towards the cyclist,  an investigation for murder", has been opened, confirms the Paris prosecutor's office to France Bleu Paris.

The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo reacted by demanding extreme severity against the author of the fats:  "It is unacceptable to die today in Paris, & 27, while riding a bike. These acts must be severely condemned,” declared the city councilor. “SUVs have no place in the city. They are nonsense for both safety and the environment,” judges Jacques Baudrier, deputy mayor Paris City Hall in charge of Housing and the Ecological Transition of Buildings.

The police's findings are now underway. “The duty magistrate is on site” and “the modalities of the investigation are being evaluated and will be specified later”, the Paris prosecutor's office told Actu 17.