Two French Police Officers Sentenced for Deliberate Collision with Motorcyclist on A4 Highway

On December 18, 2025, a court in Créteil convicted two French police officers for aggravated voluntary violence after they intentionally collided with motorcyclist Hugo Van Rooij on the A4 highway near Charenton-le-Pont. Major Eric B. (53) and Officer Nils P. (26) were sentenced to three years in prison with a suspended sentence, alongside a one-year ban from police duties and from carrying firearms. This punishment was notably harsher than the prosecution’s recommended sentence of an 18-month suspended prison term and a two-year prohibition from public service.

The incident took place on October 14, 2025, and was captured on a dashboard camera from a vehicle ahead of Van Rooij, as well as on surveillance footage analyzed by the Inspection Générale de la Police Nationale (IGPN). The videos clearly showed the police car swerving toward the motorcyclist at high speed, with Officer Nils P. extending his arm out of the window moments before impact. Despite the officers maintaining that the collision was unintentional—with Major Eric B. admitting to a driving error and Nils P. alleging he was unwell that day—the court found their explanations unconvincing.

Van Rooij, 37, has reported suffering lasting psychological trauma, including concentration difficulties and insomnia, following the event. The swift resolution of the case within two months was largely due to the compelling video evidence, which strongly supported the victim’s account and underscored accountability in police conduct.

This sentencing marks a significant judicial stance on deliberate police violence in France, reflecting the gravity of the incident and emphasizing the need for responsibility within law enforcement ranks.