A driver deliberately ploughed his vehicle into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Île d'Oléron on Wednesday morning, injuring ten people. Three victims are in serious condition, with two critically injured and airlifted to the University Hospital of Poitiers. The incident occurred around 8:45 am between the villages of Dolus-d'Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron.
Police arrested the suspect, a French national in his thirties residing in La Cotinière village, after finding him attempting to set his car on fire. Witnesses reported seeing him strike victims at multiple locations, including near an Intermarché supermarket and along several roads in the area. Police reportedly found gas cylinders in the vehicle, with one partially catching fire.
Suspect background
Mayor Christophe Sueur of Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron told Le Parisien that the driver is known locally. "He is known for his numerous transgressions, notably due to his regular drug and alcohol use," the mayor said. The suspect has no prior criminal record. France's national database for monitoring individuals suspected of radicalization does not list him.
Investigation underway
Prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation. Authorities are exploring multiple potential motives, including mental health issues.
Eyewitnesses claimed the driver shouted "Allahu Akbar" before accelerating, though investigators have not confirmed this detail. The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is reportedly not involved at this stage.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed on X he would visit the scene at the Prime Minister's request. "At the request of the Prime Minister, I am going there," he wrote, describing the incident and confirming the driver's arrest and ongoing investigation.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
