Driver receives prison sentence

Cyril P., an ambulance driver, was sentenced to five years in prison by the Lyon Correctional Court for the deaths of two teenagers in an August 2022 accident. The sentence includes four years of probation, with one year to be served at home under electronic monitoring.

Court finds driver guilty of serious offenses

Cyril P. was found guilty of aggravated involuntary double homicide for a "manifestly deliberate violation" of safety or prudence obligations. He is banned from retaking his driver's license for seven years and is permanently barred from working as an ambulance driver.

Prosecutor's request and court's decision

The public prosecutor had requested four years in prison, with one year fixed without leniency. The court reduced the driving ban from ten years, as requested by the prosecutor, to seven years. During the hearing, Cyril P. claimed he was trying to fulfill his mission "on time" and said he did not understand how the accident occurred.

Details of the accident and driver's history

The accident happened on August 22, 2022, on Quai Joffre in Lyon, where two teenagers were riding an electric scooter on a lane reserved for buses and soft mobility. Cyril P. had a provisional license with only two points remaining and was driving a private ambulance authorized to use the lane by a special permit. He had a history of traffic violations, including speeding that led to the suspension and revocation of his license.

Victim families express disappointment

The families of the victims expressed disappointment with the sentence, calling it too lenient. They had requested a ten-year driving ban and argued the sentence should reflect the ongoing impact of the tragedy on their lives. They also called for changes in road safety laws, private ambulance regulations, and measures to address road violence.