A 17-year-old without a driver's license has confessed to driving the car that fatally struck eight-year-old Salaheddine on Tuesday morning in the Pissevin district of Nîmes. The perpetrator fled the scene but was apprehended and charged. The accident occurred at a pedestrian crossing while the child was walking to school. The city has been plunged into mourning, and the family and neighbors are planning a memorial march in honor of the victim.

Arrest of the perpetrator

The detained 17-year-old has been charged with vehicular homicide. Despite his young age, he was previously known to police for other offenses.

Lack of license

The investigation confirmed that the teenager was driving a car without a driver's license and intentionally drove against the flow of traffic, which led to the tragedy.

Memorial march

On Saturday, February 21 at 13:30, a white march will take place, proceeding through the streets of Nîmes in homage to the deceased 8-year-old boy.

A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, around 08:20 in Nîmes. Eight-year-old Salaheddine was struck at a pedestrian crossing in the Pissevin district while on his way to the Paul-Langevin school. The perpetrator, driving a passenger car, drastically violated traffic rules by driving against the flow of traffic and ignoring a red light. After hitting the child, the driver did not provide assistance and fled the scene, prompting an immediate police manhunt. During an intensive investigation led by the public prosecutor's office in Nîmes, a 17-year-old male was detained. The suspect, who did not have a driver's license and was already known to the justice system, initially denied guilt but ultimately confessed to driving the car. He was charged with vehicular homicide with aggravating circumstances, such as fleeing the scene and lacking a driver's license. By court order, the teenager was placed in custody. The Pissevin district in Nîmes has for years struggled with social problems and high crime rates, making road safety in this area a frequent subject of public debate. The local community responded to this loss with immense solidarity. On Wednesday, over one hundred people gathered at the headquarters of the Paseo association, including teammates from the L’Espérance nîmoise football club, to honor the boy's memory. The family announced the organization of a white march, which this coming Saturday will depart from the victim's school towards the accident site. The tragic event has renewed discussion about the need to toughen penalties for juvenile recidivists who violate traffic laws. 8 years — was the age of the victim in the fatal accident in Nîmes Chronology of events in Nîmes: February 17, 08:20 — Accident in Pissevin; February 18 — Suspect detained; February 19 — Confession of guilt; February 21, 13:30 — White march

Liberal media emphasize the difficult social situation in the Pissevin district as a backdrop for problems with juvenile crime. | Conservative outlets stress the necessity of maximum penalties and the lack of effective supervision over perpetrators known to police.

Mentioned People

  • Salaheddine — Eight-year-old victim of a tragic road accident in the Pissevin district.