A 25-year-old woman that drove her car down the wrong side of a motorway in West Flanders and caused an accident that resulted in the death of a 63-year-old man denies that she deliberately set out to drive into another car. The woman’s lawyer Pieterjan Dens says that “There are still a lot of question marks concerning what happened that afternoon”. Nevertheless, the prosecutor’s office has launched a manslaughter investigation and that would indicate that the woman did deliberately set out to hit another vehicle.
Ghost driver’s lawyer disputes that she deliberately set out to kill: “There are still too many question marks”
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Last Saturday morning at around 9am the woman drove her car down the wrong side of the A19 motorway in Ieper (West Flanders). She collided head-on with another car that was being driven by a 63-year-old man. The man died in the crash. 2 other people (the man’s wife and one of his daughters) that were in the car were seriously injured, the man’s other daughter, who wazs alsdo in the car, was only slightly injured.
It later transpired that the day before the woman had appeared before magistrates to answer charges of driving under the influence of cocaine. However, as a urine test had proved negative the magistrate was unable to declare her unfit to drive. The magistrate ordered that an expert be appointed to further investigate the case and the woman was able to continue driving. The following day (last Saturday) she caused 2 accidents: a hit-and-run in Menen and the fatal accident on the A19.
Postponed
The case was due to be heard in chambers today (Friday 11 October). However, the woman’s lawyer has asked for a postponement to allow a thorough investigation of the case.
Lawyer Pieterjan Dens told VRT News that “There are still a lot of question marks about what happened. My client disputes that it was manslaughter”.
Following the accident, the woman told the police that she had taken drugs. However, Mr Dens questions this “She uttered a lot of gibberish. At the time she said that she was actually in no condition to be questioned.” Dens confirms that his client has a history of psychological problems.
Bare feet
The investigation has revealed that the woman was driving bare foot at the time of the fatal accident.
A witness stated that it seemed as if the woman had deliberately wanted to hit the the other car. Every time the driver of the other car changed lanes she steered her car into the same lane. Eventually, the 2 vehicles collided on the hard shoulder.
Based on what is currently known, the woman’s actions would appear to have been deliberate. Chambers will now hear the case in 2 weeks. In the meantime, the woman will remain in custody.