Eric Comyn was conducting a roadside check with his colleagues in Mougins in August 2024 when a driver crashed into him, killing him instantly. The driver is being charged with “murder” before the Assize Court of Alpes-Maritimes.
The driver suspected of causing the death of gendarme Eric Comyn in August 2024 in Mougins (Alpes-Maritimes) is being charged with “murder of a person in authority” and “failure to comply” before the Assize Court of Alpes-Maritimes, according to sources, confirming information from Europe 1. The date for the trial has not been set yet.
The judge’s decision aligns with the expectations of the victim’s family. “They welcome this decision with satisfaction. The next step will be to prepare for the trial,” said Me Pauline Ragot, the lawyer representing Eric Comyn’s family members and some of his colleagues.
On August 26, 2024, Eric Comyn and his colleagues were conducting a roadside check on the A8 highway in Mougins when a reckless driver veered onto the right lane of the exit ramp and crashed into Eric Comyn, killing him on the spot. The suspect then fled the scene, but was later arrested a few hours later and tested positive for alcohol.
Contacted, the defense lawyer Me Marie Seguin declined to comment on the decision. She simply mentioned that they have appealed the charge.
Debate around the intention to cause death
During the procedure, the lawyer wanted her client to be charged with “vehicular homicide,” which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years and does not imply the intention to cause death: during questioning, the man claimed he did not see the gendarme on the road and was “panicked” after hitting him, subsequently fleeing. The charge of vehicular homicide was not pursued, and instead, he was charged with “murder,” which carries a life sentence.
This decision by the investigating judges is praised by Eric Comyn’s family lawyer. “Killing a gendarme is one of the most serious crimes in our legal system. It should not be judged under any other qualification,” insists Me Pauline Ragot, referring to the suspect as a “repeat offender with a dangerously criminal record, evident from the elements in the case file.” “His murderous intent is undeniable,” she stated.
In the indictment, the investigating judges also noted that Eric Comyn was clearly visible to the suspect before the collision, as he was using an illuminated lamp and wearing a reflective vest. Additionally, according to testimonies and expert assessments, it was evident that the suspect deliberately aimed at the gendarme and did not attempt to change his course despite approaching him.
