Driver in custody after intentionally striking pedestrians in France, interior minister says
LONDON and PARIS -- A driver was taken into custody after allegedly striking and injuring pedestrians and cyclists "deliberately" in several locations on an island in southwestern France, the interior minister said.
Five people were run down by the vehicle, including two in critical condition and three others moderately injured, Laurent Nunez, the minister, told reporters at a briefing.
A 22-year-old woman, one of those in critical condition, was out jogging at the time she was hit, Nunez said.
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was said to have intentionally drove into bicycle lanes to strike some of the cyclists, said Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre d'Oleron.
"He had the intention of deliberately hitting every person he could some across with his car," Sueur said in an interview broadcast on French channel BFMTV.
The suspect was tased by police in order to subdue him, Nunez said. He was known to police and had been convicted of relatively minor criminal offenses, Nunez said, adding the suspect was not known to French intelligence and not known as someone who was radicalized.
The strikes appeared to have been along a "route" through Saint Pierre and Dolus, two villages about 4 miles apart on the island of Oleron, Nunez said. The island, which is off the Atlantic coast, is a popular vacation destination.
The attack lasted about 35 minutes in total, Nunez said.
The suspect allegedly tried to set his car on fire when it came to a halt. French media and international wire services have published videos and photos of investigators working around a burnt-out vehicle, some of which included what appeared to be a canister commonly used for propane or gas.
Two of those who were struck by the vehicle were in serious condition and at least three others were injured, Nunez said.
Sueur, in the broadcast interview, said the injured ranged in age from 22 to 69. Some were taken to local hospitals via helicopter, he said.
Officials did not immediately release details about the driver or a potential motive. The suspect was known to police, according to BFMTV.
France's anti-terrorism prosecutor is watching events but, for now, is not formally involved, according to local media.
