The circumstances surrounding the accident that claimed the lives of producer Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier , Dior's public relations director, are becoming clearer. According to initial information released by the Niort prosecutor's office, the truck involved in the collision veered off course before crossing the solid white line and striking the victims' car. However, the truck driver offers a different version of events. A judicial inquiry for "involuntary manslaughter by a driver" has been opened. The tragedy occurred on Monday, August 17, around 16 p.m., on a departmental road in Airvault, Deux-Sèvres. Nicolas Altmayer, 61, and Mathilde Favier, 56, were driving their car when they collided with a truck traveling in the opposite direction. Both were killed instantly.
The truck reportedly swerved and crossed the solid line
The initial findings following the accident have shed new light on the mechanics of the collision. The vehicle carrying Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier was traveling on a section of the road with two lanes in its direction, while the truck was in the single lane reserved for traffic traveling in the opposite direction. The findings from the vehicles and the road were compared with witness statements from several drivers, as well as the truck driver's statement. According to the Niort prosecutor's office, the truck then "swerved towards the victims' vehicle, crossing the solid line separating the lanes ." The impact occurred between the front right of the truck and the left side of the car carrying Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier. The force of the impact was fatal for both occupants. The prosecutor's office stated that they were killed instantly.
The driver, on the contrary, claims that the car veered off course.
The truck driver disputes this reconstruction. The 32-year-old Indian national, employed by a Lithuanian transport company, explained during his police custody that it was actually the oncoming car that veered off course. According to his version, the vehicle carrying Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier "deviated and crossed the solid line ." Two opposing accounts are now in the case file: that of the truck driver and the initial physical evidence and witness statements gathered by investigators. The investigation will notably aim to establish the precise trajectory of the two vehicles in the seconds preceding the impact.
The truck driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Initial tests on the driver revealed no alcohol or drug use. Both tests came back negative. The prosecutor's office also indicated that the truck was traveling at a normal speed before the accident. These findings, however, did not prevent the initiation of legal proceedings to determine potential liability in the deaths of the two car occupants. The driver was brought before an investigating judge on Wednesday, August 19, for a hearing regarding his placement under judicial supervision.
A judicial inquiry for involuntary manslaughter
A judicial inquiry for "involuntary manslaughter by a driver" has been opened. The investigating judge will now be able to continue the investigation to establish the precise circumstances of the collision. Analysis of the marks found on the road, the damage sustained by the vehicles, and the various witness statements should help determine which of the two vehicles crossed the solid line. At this stage of the proceedings, no definitive criminal liability has been established.
Nicolas Altmayer, one of the producers of SDG 117 et Brice de Nice
Nicolas Altmayer was 61 years old. With his brother Éric, he ran Mandarin & Compagnie, a company that became a major player in French film production. His name is associated with numerous French cinematic successes, notably Brice de Nice and the OSS 117 films starring Jean Dujardin. More recently, he produced Monsieur Aznavour , starring Tahar Rahim, as well as Alpha , directed by Julia Ducournau. The announcement of his death prompted numerous tributes from the French film industry.
Mathilde Favier, a prominent figure at Dior, was killed at his side.
Mathilde Favier was a prominent figure in the French fashion and luxury world. She held the position of Director of Public Relations at Dior. She had previously worked for several major fashion houses and in the fashion press before joining Dior in 2011. Over the years, she had become one of the leading faces of the house's public relations. Nicolas Altmayer and Mathilde Favier died together in the collision, the exact circumstances of which are now to be determined by the judicial investigation.
