Rouen: Cyclist Dies After Being Hit by a Van, Two Others Injured

On the morning of Tuesday, January 14, three cyclists were struck by the driver of a van on Rue Alsace-Lorraine, in the heart of Rouen (Seine-Maritime). The collision left two of the victims seriously injured, while the third sustained minor injuries. Tragically, one of the cyclists, the most severely injured, passed away after being in a coma.

According to initial reports, the driver, born in 1977, hit one person and then two others a bit further along before fleeing the scene. She was apprehended around 10:15 a.m. by gendarmes in front of their station in Buchy. Placed in police custody, she is reported to have psychiatric issues, and witnesses mentioned possible suicidal intentions.

Investigation Underway to Clarify the Circumstances

An investigation, led by the Rouen public prosecutor and entrusted to the judicial police, has been opened to determine whether this tragic incident was an accident or a deliberate act.

Emergency services mobilized 14 firefighters and six vehicles to quickly respond and transport the injured to Rouen University Hospital. The tragedy occurred in a central Rouen street with two-way traffic for buses but limited to a single lane for cars and bicycles.

Investigations continue to uncover the driver’s motivations and to prevent similar incidents in the future.