Prosecutors in Paris have initiated a murder investigation following a tragic incident in which a luxury SUV driver allegedly ran over a cyclist after a heated roadside argument. The confrontation occurred in the bustling centre of the capital, near La Madeleine church, during the evening rush hour.
The 27-year-old victim, a member of a local cycling association, suffered a cardiac-respiratory arrest after being struck by the Mercedes. Despite the rapid response from emergency services, he could not be revived.
Initial witness accounts suggest that the driver, a 52-year-old man, deliberately accelerated his vehicle toward the cyclist. The driver was promptly arrested at the scene on Tuesday evening.
According to witness statements reported by BFM-TV, the altercation began after the SUV cut off the cyclist, who was riding on a marked but unprotected cycle lane along the busy Boulevard Malesherbes.
Eyewitnesses described a furious row between the two men, during which the cyclist banged on the car’s bonnet and confronted the driver.
Following the argument, both individuals reportedly parted ways. However, shortly thereafter, multiple witnesses claimed the SUV appeared to target the cyclist, reversing over him before moving forward again and running over his body.
Witnesses noted that the driver’s teenage daughter was present in the car at the time of the incident. Preliminary tests for alcohol and drugs came back negative, and police confirmed that the driver’s license was valid. The shocking nature of the incident has drawn significant attention from local authorities and the public.
Jeanne d’Hauteserre, the mayor of the 8th arrondissement, characterized the event as “extraordinarily violent,” revealing that witnesses were still in shock when she arrived at the scene.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a proponent of cycling infrastructure, expressed her outrage, stating, “It is unacceptable in this day and age for someone to die on a bicycle in Paris.”
Deputy Mayor David Belliard also voiced his concerns on social media, stating, “What happened last night is horrifying… This young man is a new victim of road violence. Cars can drive you mad. Cars kill. Cyclists and pedestrians are their first victims.”
His comments highlight the growing tension between cyclists and motorists in the city, a friction that has intensified with recent efforts to promote cycling over car use.
In response to the tragedy, Paris en selle (Paris in the Saddle), the cycling organization to which the victim belonged, has called for a commemorative gathering at the square on Wednesday evening, urging the public to “lay a flower or a candle” in his memory.
Marion Soulet, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the vulnerability of cyclists, stating, “We don’t have steel bodywork to protect us. There is always lots of tension. Some of our members have shocking stories to relate.”
Paris has made significant strides in becoming one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities, having opened hundreds of kilometres of new cycle paths in recent years, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
However, these changes have not been without controversy, as many motorists have expressed frustration over reduced road space and increased parking fees designed to discourage car use.
As the investigation unfolds, the cycling community and city officials are left grappling with the implications of this tragic incident and the ongoing issue of road safety for vulnerable users.
