An Elderly Motorist Dies when Leaving the Road in Segonzac

The motorist is thought to have felt unwell before his journey ended in a plot of vines in Segonzac.

The tragedy occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. this Monday afternoon. While traveling towards Gensac-la-Pallue from Segonzac on the RD49, a 70-year-old motorist lost control of his Toyota Avensis.

According to initial information, he first hit a delivery van arriving from Gensac, in front of him. Following the impact, his car was diverted, it went off the road and drove through the vineyards.

A video in the van

The Toyota, at the rear of which was a trailer, ended its journey in the middle of the plot, on the left side of the road going towards Gensac-la-Pallue. Firefighters intervened but could do nothing to save the elderly motorist.

According to initial information, this man who lived in Gensac, very close by, suffered a heart attack when he lost control of his vehicle. This is the preferred hypothesis at this stage.

The driver of the van who arrived opposite and was hit was not injured. The gendarmes from Segonzac and Châteauneuf were on the scene. Investigators should be able to use the images filmed by the van’s on-board camera. A video which should enlighten the police on the circumstances of this fatal accident.

A body examination was also requested by the Angoulême public prosecutor’s office. In addition, samples must be taken.