A tragic traffic incident occurred on the evening of Friday, August 25, 2023, around 6:00 PM, on the RD154 road in Houeillès, situated in Lot-et-Garonne. The incident involved a minibus carrying minors from the Sauméjan leisure center.
The preliminary assessment of the situation is grim: a 12-year-old individual who was in critical condition passed away overnight at Bordeaux Hospital. Olivier Naboulet, the Public Prosecutor of Agen, and Florent Farge, the Secretary-General of the Prefecture, conveyed their condolences and support to the family and loved ones during a press conference this morning.
The status of the other victims is as follows:
- Two other children are in critical condition at Bordeaux Hospital.
- Another two, who are also in serious condition, were transferred from Agen to Toulouse.
- Two victims in stable condition are receiving treatment at Marmande Hospital.
The gendarmerie has notified the parents of the affected victims and is providing them with support.
After expressing their empathy and support for the victims, families, and loved ones, Olivier Naboulet, the Public Prosecutor of Agen, announced the initiation of an investigation yesterday afternoon. The investigation is focusing on charges of involuntary manslaughter and unintentional injuries.
The driver of the minibus, who sustained injuries, is under suspicion and has been placed in custody after receiving medical treatment at Marmande Hospital.
The investigative agencies involved include the Marmande Gendarmerie Company and the Marmande Research Brigade, overseen by the Agen Public Prosecutor’s Office. Their inquiry into the accident involves data collection, distance calculations, photography, aerial surveys, and vehicle examination.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are exploring various hypotheses, including whether the driver experienced a lapse in concentration, made a driving error, or faced external factors that led to the deviation of the vehicle’s trajectory.
The 26-year-old driver has a clean record with no prior involvement in legal or law enforcement matters. He is being questioned with legal representation as per the established procedure.
Tests are being conducted to determine whether he had consumed alcohol. Initial indications suggest he had not consumed alcohol, but this information requires verification. Authorities are also examining whether he had ingested any psychoactive substances or narcotics.
Statements from initial witnesses and first responders who arrived at the scene are being collected as part of the investigation.
The incident prompted a substantial response from emergency services:
- 51 firefighters from Houeillès, Nérac, and Lavardac, along with SAMU personnel, seven ambulances, two Dragon helicopters from Pau and Bordeaux, and 20 gendarmes swiftly provided assistance to victims at the accident site.
Support and assistance services have been established for the victims:
- A reception center and psychological support unit have been set up at the Houeillès emergency center. This initiative caters to around ten individuals, including children from the second minibus who witnessed the accident and members of the vacation center present at the scene.
- Members of the League of Education, to which the affected youths belong, have also arrived to offer support.
- The La Mouette association, known for assisting victims, families, and those affected, will provide ongoing support.
The prefecture has not disclosed the exact location where the deceased child resided, but it has mentioned that most of the affected youths are from the Paris region and Oise.
