One of the people hit by a vehicle on a terrace in the 20th arrondissement has died

An investigation has been opened for “involuntary manslaughter” and “unintentional injuries by driver”, franceinfo learned from the public prosecutor’s office.

A car crashed into the terrace of a bar-restaurant in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, on avenue du Père-Lachaise, on Wednesday July 17, around 7:30 p.m., France Télévisions learned from a police source, confirming information from Actu 17. One person died, three are in absolute emergency and three in relative emergency, according to a police source to franceinfo. The six injured were hospitalized, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.

The driver of the vehicle, who had initially fled, was arrested, franceinfo learned from the prosecutor’s office. He tested positive for alcohol and was taken into custody. His passenger, arrested earlier in the evening, tested positive for narcotics in addition to alcohol.

An investigation has been opened for “involuntary manslaughter” and “involuntary injuries by driver”, according to the prosecution. The theory of an accident is indeed being favored. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office had said earlier in the evening that it was not taking up the case, according to information from France Inter.

A large security perimeter has been deployed in the area, particularly on half of Place Gambetta, noted a journalist from franceinfo.

Eric Pliez, mayor of the 20th arrondissement, spoke from the scene of the tragedy. “We think it was an accident, but the police are checking that there are no explosives inside the vehicle”the mayor told the press. Around twenty people, shocked by the scene, were also received in the town hall.