Overview
- Several hundred people, reported up to about 900, joined a marche blanche in Saint-Omer ten days after the 19-year-old was killed in Lille.
- The 31-year-old suspect, accused of consuming nitrous oxide and fleeing police, is under formal investigation for aggravated vehicular homicide and remains in pretrial detention, though he contests having driven.
- The parents’ lawyer says they will seek a nationwide prohibition on nitrous oxide at the wheel, including penalties for unauthorized possession and potential vehicle confiscation.
- Supporters of new measures stress a detection gap, noting the gas is typically traceable for only around 30 minutes and can impair reflexes, perception and judgment.
- Parliamentary work remains incomplete, with a Senate vote in March to penalize misuse not specifically addressing driving and the final law still to be negotiated between chambers.