A driver who killed one man and injured four others, including two police officers, is being investigated for involuntary manslaughter and involuntarily causing injury after a tragic car accident near Monaco on Sunday.
The accident occurred on Sunday 3rd March at 12.47pm, amid heavy rains brought on by the ‘Mediterranean episode’ that had struck the region. Two patrol officers from Vinci Autoroutes, the parent company of Escota, were moving a car to safety after a minor incident on the A8 motorway.
After setting up markings to secure the area, they were hit by a car which is believed to have been driven at excessive speed in the dangerous conditions.
Tony Nellec, aged 54, was killed instantly. Four other people who responded to the initial scene were also injured – another Escota worker, two police officers and a tow-truck driver.
Two were taken to hospital in a serious condition.
On Monday, the Nice public prosecutor’s office confirmed to Nice-Matin that an investigation had been opened for “involuntary manslaughter by deliberate breach of an obligation of safety or prudence” and “unintentional injuries”.
Toxicology tests are being conducted to determine if the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or narcotics.
Vinci Autoroutes changed its social media image to black in mourning after the tragedy, saying that they were “angry and in immense pain”.
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Photo credit: Clay LeConey on Unsplash