Driver jailed for four years for killing pedestrian at 125kph

The driver responsible for a fatal accident on 2 February on Place Philippe Werrie in Jette has been sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of €24,000. Youssef C., 30, has also been banned from driving for life.

The accident claimed the life of a 51-year-old pedestrian who was struck down by Youssef C's vehicle. A passenger in the car was also seriously injured. According to traffic experts, the 30-year-old, who had previous convictions for speeding, was travelling at 125 kph on a street where the legal limit is 50kph.

On the day of the accident, at around 5.05 in the morning, Youssef C. was driving at high speed on Avenue Charles Woeste Avenue, towards Place Philippe Werrie, while returning home from a nightclub.

According to surveillance camera footage, he then ran over a 51-year-old pedestrian. The victim struck the windshield and was thrown into the air.

The vehicle struck the central reservation, continued over the tram tracks and finally came to rest on the other side of the square. The driver fled the scene of the accident but finally surrendered to police at 11.30 the same morning.

He explained that he had not seen the lifeless body of the pedestrian, but the court considered this version of events to be unbelievable. The investigation showed that the driver had used cocaine and was travelling at 125kph just prior to the collision.