The driver of a vehicle drowned in the Cher on the night of Friday to Saturday in Tours, throwing himself into the river to escape a police check, announced the public prosecutor of Tours.
A first investigation for refusal to comply was entrusted to the Tours judicial police branch, while a second investigation into the causes of death was entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), said prosecutor Grégoire Dulin.
“On September 10 at 3:20 a.m., a rescue police team from the Tours police station with four police officers on board was overtaken at a red light by an individual traveling alone in a Citroën C4 type vehicle.
Noting that the vehicle was traveling at high speed, he decided to follow it (…) to carry out its check”, details the prosecution in a press release.
A policeman also throws himself into the water
Still according to the magistrate, the driver then refused to comply despite the use of the flashing light by the police, hitting a tree in his flight.
The man then left his vehicle near the Cher.
Pursued by the police, who failed to hit him with their taser, he then threw himself into the river.
“A policeman rushed into the Cher to rescue him without succeeding.
The Tours firefighters were immediately called upon and carried out rescue operations with the help of several divers.
After more than 30 minutes of searching, the driver of the vehicle was found unconscious in the river.
In cardiorespiratory arrest and despite attempts at resuscitation, he died on the spot, ”according to the press release.
Saturday morning, the victim was not yet identified with certainty, the prosecution told AFP.
