Millas School Bus Tragedy: Appeal Trial Begins for Driver Nadine Oliveira
The appeal trial for Nadine Oliveira, the driver involved in the tragic Millas school bus accident, commenced on October 7, 2024, in Aix-en-Provence. This hearing comes seven years after the devastating incident that claimed the lives of six middle school students and left numerous others injured. Oliveira, who was convicted in November 2022 for manslaughter and involuntary injury, maintains her stance that the railway barriers were lifted at the time of the collision.
During the first instance trial, Oliveira was sentenced to five years in prison, with four years suspended. Her defense team, led by lawyer Jean Codognès, has filed for the annulment of the expert appraisal conducted by retired Alstom employees, arguing a conflict of interest due to Alstom's ties with SNCF, the national railway company. Oliveira's defense also contests the legitimacy of civil parties involved in the case, asserting that the court had previously denied her the opportunity to adjourn the trial due to her health issues during the original proceedings.
The courtroom was filled with emotional testimonies from victims and their families. Alicia Poveda, a 19-year-old survivor who lost a leg in the accident, expressed her desire for an apology from Oliveira. She poignantly remarked, "Every day when I wake up, I have one leg missing. It ruined my life, that of my parents, of everyone around me."
The hearing has drawn fewer civil parties than the initial trial, with only about twenty present in the courtroom. Prosecutor Franck Lagier has opposed the defense's requests for nullities, and the court has temporarily suspended the hearing to deliberate on these issues. The trial is set to continue until November 25, with proceedings broadcast live from the Perpignan judicial court.
