Driver jailed for nine years and banned for life after fatal hit-and-run
A driver who killed a 16-year-old cyclist in a hit-and-run in East Flanders in 2022 has been sentenced to nine years in prison and a lifetime driving ban.
The fatal collision happened on 1 August 2022 in Doornstraat in Temse. A cyclist, 16-year-old Francis Aerts, was found at around 22.00. Emergency services attended but he died at the scene.
Shortly afterwards, police in Sint-Niklaas found a vehicle that had driven into a lamppost. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Youri H, was apprehended and submitted a positive alcohol test and saliva test. He was arrested on charges including unintentional killing, hit-and-run, drug use, driving while intoxicated and inappropriate speed.
The man had been convicted twice before for traffic offences and there were no mitigating circumstances, according to police judge Peter D’Hondt, who described the offences as “gross, heinous, crapulous and criminal”.
'No recollection'
The police court imposed five years in prison and a 16,000 euro fine for manslaughter and four years in prison and a 16,000 euro fine for fleeing the scene, as well as a lifetime driving ban.
Youri H told the judge that he had no recollection of the collision. The victim’s relatives rejected that explanation, their lawyer Kris Luyckx said when the case was heard.
"Clearly, he knew he had hit someone"
“The blow was so big that he must have felt the impact. Francis was thrown 18 metres by the car and the bike was 13 metres away,” Luyckx said.
“Clearly, he knew he had hit someone. After the fatal collision, he drove on and then first hit the wing mirror of another car and finally collided with the lamppost. There, he was stopped by people who took his keys. He was drunk but aware, and even then said he had hit something.”
#FlandersNewsService | File image © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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