A 27-year-old man was in custody on Thursday, suspected of causing a fatal accident on Wednesday by fleeing the police in Loos, near Lille, AFP learned from a source close to the case. On Wednesday afternoon, the national police "chased" a driver who had just burned a red light at high speed, but was soon sown, said the source.
A criminal record "very provided"
In his escape, the young man violently struck the vehicle of a 73-year-old man, who died on the spot. The two occupants of the car, the 27-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, then tried to escape on foot before being stopped by the police and taken into custody.
The man, who has a criminal record "very provided" with a "fortnight of convictions", denies being the driver of the car. He was placed in custody for "manslaughter aggravated by the hit and run, unlicensed driving and proven consumption by toxicological testing of narcotics", and for "refusal to comply". The custody of the young woman was lifted.