Legal Proceedings Underway After Fatal Lille Hit-and-Run Involving Nitrous Oxide

On November 1, 2025, a tragic incident in Lille resulted in the death of 19-year-old Mathis, who was struck by a speeding vehicle during an attempted police stop on Halloween night. The driver, a 31-year-old man with a heavy criminal history, was charged with vehicular homicide amid significant legal developments. Authorities found nitrous oxide canisters in the suspect's vehicle, indicating potential substance use at the time of the crash.

According to the prosecutor, Samuel Finielz, the suspect faces three aggravating charges: deliberate violation of safety obligations, hit and run, and refusal to comply with police orders. The driver attempted to evade police by ignoring two stop signals and fled on foot after hitting Mathis, who died shortly thereafter. The case has highlighted growing concerns over refusals to comply with police and the dangerous use of substances such as nitrous oxide while driving.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez denounced the driver's actions as "intolerable," emphasizing the tragic loss of a young life just days before Mathis's 20th birthday. In response, local authorities in Lille have already initiated measures to ban public consumption of nitrous oxide, and national legislative efforts are underway to regulate its sale. The law criminalizing vehicular homicide, enacted in July, allows for strict penalties, especially when aggravating factors are present.

Further compounding the seriousness, the suspect's criminal record includes over fifteen prior cases involving crimes such as violence and drug trafficking, underscoring the heightened risk posed by his behavior. Although the suspect denies driving the vehicle, he remains in custody as the investigation proceeds. This case serves as a sobering reminder of ongoing challenges with road safety, substance misuse, and law enforcement enforcement in France.