Bus crash in Ain: the 26-year-old driver admits to falling asleep at the wheel, two dead including a 7-year-old girl

The bus driver involved in the horrific accident that occurred this Friday in Lent, Ain , admitted during his initial questioning that he had fallen asleep at the wheel. The 26-year-old driver was taken into custody while hospitalized for his injuries. The tragedy claimed the lives of two passengers, a 7-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man. Four other people were seriously injured, two of whom were in critical condition Friday evening.

The driver claims he fell asleep before crossing the road.

Initial findings from the investigation have clarified the circumstances of the accident. Interviewed by police from his hospital bed, the driver explained that he had momentarily lost awareness of his driving after falling asleep.

The public prosecutor of Bourg-en-Bresse, Karine Malara, reported his statements: “He indicated that he had fallen asleep. He did indeed cross the road. When he woke up, he found himself on the other side of the road. He then struck several trees lining the road before coming to a stop in the ravine.” The vehicle thus left its lane, crossed the road, and hit several trees before ending up in a ditch.

A day of work the day before and a departure at 5:30 in the morning

The driver, who had been working as a bus driver for about 18 months, had completed a full day of school transport on Thursday. The following day, he resumed his service very early to operate the route between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse, with departure scheduled for around 5:30 a.m.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on departmental road 22, near Lent, about ten kilometers from Bourg-en-Bresse. According to initial witness statements gathered by investigators, some passengers noticed the driver had fallen asleep before the vehicle left the road.

The driver also claimed he was respecting the speed limit, set at 70 km/h on that section of road. He stated that he had activated his cruise control at that speed. Investigators will need to verify these claims, particularly by examining the vehicle's technical data.

Alcohol and drugs: initial tests are negative

Initial tests on the driver revealed no alcohol or drug use. A previous unannounced test, conducted in mid-October, had also yielded negative results.

Injured in the legs and one eye, the driver had to be extricated from the vehicle before being taken to the hospital. His condition nevertheless allowed investigators to conduct an initial interview during his police custody.

The investigation must now establish the exact conditions of his service, his working hours, and his rest periods. The police must also interview the managers of the transport company that provided this regional service on behalf of the Auvergne-Rhône- Alpes region.

A 7-year-old girl and an 18-year-old student lost their lives.

The human toll is particularly heavy. A 7-year-old girl, who was traveling with her mother and younger sister, was killed in the accident. The second victim was an 18-year-old man, a student in Lyon.

A total of 49 passengers were on board the bus, including 23 minors and 26 adults. Four people were hospitalized in critical condition, including three adults and one minor. As of Friday evening, two of the injured remained in critical condition; 25 others sustained minor injuries.

Emergency services deployed considerable resources, including around one hundred firefighters, fifty gendarmes, and several helicopters. The victims were taken to various hospitals in the region.

The Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, expressed his emotion after the announcement of the accident, sending his thoughts to the student victims and their families.

An investigation has been opened into road traffic homicide and road traffic injuries.

The public prosecutor's office in Bourg-en-Bresse has opened an investigation into a traffic accident involving homicide and road traffic injuries. The investigation has been entrusted to the gendarmerie, who are tasked with precisely reconstructing the sequence of events of the accident and determining any potential criminal liability.

The driver's statements regarding his falling asleep, his speed, and his working conditions will need to be compared with the technical findings and passenger testimonies. Investigators will also examine the vehicle's data and the conditions under which the driver began his shift.

The bus involved in the accident belonged to the Philibert Transports company and operated the A32 intercity route between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. It was carrying, among others, students on their way to school when the tragedy occurred Friday morning.