Truck driver risks imprisonment and driving ban after a fatal accident with 12-year-old Miel: « I really didn’t see him » (Heist-op-den-Berg)
© RTV
A prison sentence of six months, a fine of 6,000 euros and eight months driving ban. That is the punishment that a truck driver hangs above the head after a fatal accident in the Schoorstraat in Heist-op-den-Berg. In December 2023 it came to a collision with the 12-year-old Miel, who cycled home. The boy did not survive the accident.
The serious traffic accident occurred on December 4, 2023. Just before 16 hours, just after school the 12-year-old Miel cycled home via Schoorstraat. There, however, it came to a collision with a truck that drove the intersection from industrial zone A. The emergency services rushed on the spot, but all the help came too late. The young teenager died on the spot from the consequences of the accident.
The police judge in Mechelen bowed over the file on Tuesday. « This is an accident in the purest meaning of the word, » said the prosecutor. « But that does not alter the fact that the driver was careless and a punishment is therefore in place. If he had looked at the left and right, he would have had to see the young cyclist coming. That is confirmed by the findings of the traffic expert. »
In the Schoorstraat, there was a collision between the 12-year-old Miel and a truck. – © Kristof van Rompaey
At the moment of the accident, Miel cycled on the cycle path on the left side of the road. However, that is not a double -directional cycle path and he should have actually driving on the right. However, a traffic sign warns motorized at the intersection for bicycle traffic in both directions at the crossing of the cycle path. « The cycle path on the left side of the road is used by a lot of school -going youth, » said lawyer Nadia van Baele, who assisted the Van Miel family.
Lawyer An-Sofie Limme made it clear that her client did not see the victim coming, and that also repeated the man himself. « I stopped at the stop line and looked at the left and right several times, » he said emotionally. « I don’t understand how the accident could happen. I am aware that this is a drama for the family and never wanted this. I want to apologize a thousand times. »
Many questions
« I think it’s a shame that the man stays with his explanation, » Miel’s mom responded. « I can hardly believe that he has not seen Miel if he has looked really good left and right. That is why we stay with many questions. I would rather have just admitted that he did not look carefully, that would make it more bearable for us. »
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a prison sentence of six months, a fine of 6,000 euros and a driving ban of eight months against the man, possibly with delay. The lawyer of the truck driver again asked for a mild application of the criminal law and asked to impose a suspension of punishment. The verdict will be pronounced on Thursday 5 June.
After the death of Miel, flowers, hugs and candles were laid close to the scene in Schoorstraat to remember him. During the boy’s emotional funeral there was live music from Dana Winner and Udo. Friends and classmates also spent orange balloons, because that was his favorite color.
