The Diekirch District Court held a trial on Thursday to address the case of a fatal accident that occurred after a May Day celebration in Ell in 2023.
The prosecution is seeking a two-year prison sentence, a five-year driving ban, and a fine against the defendant, a 25-year-old man accused of involuntary manslaughter.
The incident occurred during the night of 30 April to 1 May, on a rural path between Ell and Colpach-Haut. A 27-year-old father, who had chosen to walk home to Colpach-Haut after consuming alcohol at a local celebration, was fatally struck by a car. The track he had taken at the time is off-limits to all traffic except local residents. Emergency services pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
According to court testimony, the defendant did not see the pedestrian due to darkness. On Thursday morning, the lead investigator and an expert in accident reconstruction presented evidence before the court. An autopsy was ordered by the public prosecutor’s office, and police had launched a call for witnesses at the time to gather further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The victim’s decision to avoid driving under the influence, a responsible choice which ultimately cost him his life, and the fact that the accused was driving on a road he likely had no right to use sparked significant local reaction at the time. Flowers, candles, personal items, and messages were left by family and friends at the site of the accident in tribute to the young father.
Only one session was scheduled for this trial. The court is expected to hand down its verdict on 10 January 2025.
