Summary:
A 21-year-old Dutch student living in Barcelona who crashed a Ferrari while under the influence of alcohol in Monaco has been sentenced to 15 days of community service and fined 5,000 euros.
Full Story:
A 21-year-old Dutch student residing in Barcelona was recently sentenced by the Monaco court for an incident that occurred on August 16, 2024. The accused, who was staying in Monaco at the time, borrowed his father’s Ferrari after a night out at various nightclubs, including Twiga. Despite having a blood alcohol level of 0.97 g per liter, he decided to drive the car with his girlfriend and two other Swedish girls as passengers. However, he lost control of the vehicle around 4:20 am and crashed into a central reservation near the Grimaldi Forum. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.
During the trial, the young man expressed remorse and acknowledged his actions, stating that he was shocked by what he was capable of and that therapy had helped him. The court questioned why he chose to drive in that condition, to which he replied that he was not in a clear state of mind and that drinking brought out his worst side. The court noted that his blood alcohol level was significant and revealed a resistance to alcohol. They also emphasized that the presence of the two young women in the car could have had disastrous consequences. The accused admitted his responsibility by personally reimbursing the damages caused by the accident.
The prosecutor highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating that alcohol is not an excuse or explanation. They pointed out that the accused could have walked home, as he was heading to Monte-Carlo Bay. The prosecutor requested a statutory fine of 45 euros, a two-year driving ban in Monaco, and a fine of 5,000 euros.
The defense described the accused as a responsible young man willing to face the consequences of his actions. They mentioned that he had already reimbursed the damages and acknowledged his mistake. The defense lawyer argued that the accused’s lack of experience with social status could make community service beneficial for him. They pleaded for leniency from the court, emphasizing that the accused is unlikely to repeat such behavior.
After deliberation, the court sentenced the accused to 15 days of community service, which must be completed within 18 months to avoid 10 days of imprisonment. He was also fined 5,000 euros and received a one-year driving ban in Monaco. The accused apologized once again before the verdict, stating that he had learned his lesson and would not repeat the same mistake.
Source:
Monaco Tribune
