A year after a life-changing car accident caused by comedian Pierre Palmade, Yuksel Yakut and his family are grappling with severe physical and emotional trauma. Yuksel has endured multiple surgeries and constant pain, while his young son Devrim faces panic attacks and struggles with school. The crash also resulted in the loss of Yuksel’s sister-in-law’s unborn child. As legal proceedings unfold, Yuksel longs for accountability and fears for his family’s future.
The Ongoing Struggles After a Life-Altering Accident
Over a year has passed since a devastating car crash changed their lives forever. On February 10, 2023, Yuksel Yakut, his young son Devrim, and his sister-in-law Mila, who was six months pregnant at the time, were involved in a serious accident on departmental road 372 near Villiers-en-Bière in Seine-et-Marne. The crash, which was a head-on collision, was caused by comedian Pierre Palmade, who was under the influence of drugs during the incident.
A Harrowing Journey of Recovery
In an emotional interview with *Sept à Huit*, Yuksel Yakut opened up about the relentless pain and challenges he has faced since the accident. “The pain is so intense that I feel utterly exhausted; it feels like my brain might explode,” he shared, highlighting the toll the incident has taken on his mental and physical health.
At only 38 years old, Yuksel has undergone multiple surgeries, stating, “I’ve had operations on my abdomen, shoulders, legs, and feet.” Unfortunately, the aftermath of these procedures has left him with lingering effects, including a loss of sensation in three fingers. His daily life is now characterized by constant pain, making even simple tasks like washing or walking a struggle that requires assistance from family.
The accident also had devastating consequences for his family. Devrim, just 6 years old at the time, is grappling with both physical and emotional trauma. “My son is struggling immensely. He avoids going outside due to the scars on his head and is in constant pain,” Yuksel explained. Devrim now suffers from panic attacks, has difficulty concentrating in school, and had to repeat his second-grade class.
Yuksel Yakut recalls that day vividly, emphasizing that he was driving cautiously with his family. He was transporting Mila home after she had picked up his wife from the hospital. “We all wore our seatbelts, and I was particularly careful knowing that my son and my pregnant sister-in-law were in the car with me,” he stated. In stark contrast, Pierre Palmade was driving erratically, veering across the road while under the influence of cocaine and a synthetic drug, leading to the catastrophic collision.
The impact of the crash was severe, critically injuring all three passengers in Yuksel’s vehicle. The tragic outcome also led to the loss of Mila’s unborn child, further compounding the family’s grief.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Pierre Palmade faces charges of involuntary bodily harm, with a trial set to begin on November 20. Initially charged with involuntary manslaughter for the loss of the unborn child, the court determined that a stillborn child does not qualify as a person under current laws.
Yuksel Yakut remains uncertain about the future, expressing his fears about his ability to work and the long-term effects of his injuries. “I don’t know what lies ahead for my son and me. Will I ever be able to return to work? Will I remain like this? I just don’t know,” he lamented. He has a singular desire: for Pierre Palmade to be held accountable for his actions. Facing potential prison time and hefty fines, Palmade’s fate hangs in the balance as he navigates the repercussions of that fateful day.