Omar Sy, the renowned French actor best known for his role in the series 'Lupin,' finds himself in legal trouble in Switzerland. During a stay in the summer of 2023, Sy was caught speeding on his motorcycle not once, but twice. On July 19, he was clocked at 92 km/h in a 50 km/h zone near the border, and then at 98 km/h in a 60 km/h zone the very next day. Despite multiple notifications from the Swiss authorities, Sy chose to exercise his right to remain silent and did not provide any documents to refute the charges or incriminate another driver.
As a result, the Geneva prosecutor's office charged Sy with creating a serious danger for public safety by violating road traffic laws. Switzerland's judicial system, known for imposing fines based on personal and economic circumstances, fined Sy a substantial amount. Sy faces a 105-day fine at a rate of 300 francs per day, totaling more than 31,500 Swiss francs, or approximately 32,500 euros. Additionally, he has been fined 6,300 Swiss francs as an immediate penalty but was granted a reprieve for three years due to his clean record in Switzerland. Interestingly, this isn't Sy's first brush with speeding; in 2008, he was caught at 185 km/h in a 110 km/h zone in France, resulting in his motorcycle being impounded.
In another case that caught the attention of the public, the Investigative Court 2 of Salamanca has sentenced the driver responsible for the death of 18-year-old cycling sensation Estela Domínguez. The truck driver, who ran over the young athlete in 2023, has been fined 5,400 euros and has had his driving license revoked for 18 months. The court classified the incident as 'homicide due to less serious recklessness,' noting that the driver did not see Domínguez because of the sun's glare.
The family of Estela Domínguez has expressed their outrage over what they believe to be a lenient sentence. They had sought harsher penalties, including charges of omission of help and abandoning the scene, which were not upheld by the court. According to the Civil Guard report, the driver should have seen Domínguez, who was training with visible safety gear and a flashing light, from a significant distance. Ultimately, the court's interpretation of the driver's actions—returning to the scene and subsequently confessing—played a crucial role in the ruling.
- Omar Sy's case highlights the consistent legal approach taken by Swiss authorities when it comes to road safety. The high fines reflect not only the severity of the offense but also serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, irrespective of their celebrity status.
- The tragic demise of Estela Domínguez underscores the ongoing need for stringent road safety measures and vigilant driving. The Civil Guard’s detailed report is a testament to the thorough investigations that follow such unfortunate accidents. The case continues to draw public attention, with Domínguez’s family vowing to appeal for a stricter sentence in their quest for justice.