Switzerland: Driver who fatally ran suicidal woman over convicted of negligent homicide

The man was convicted this week in a court in Biel-Seeland, which said he was driving at such a speed that he would have been unable to see an obstacle in the road in time to brake, the Berner Zeitung report.

The incident occurred last May, when the woman lay down on the road after having fought with her partner.

Travelling at about 100kmph, the driver was within the speed limit of 120kmph while his lights were on low beam. However, he did not see the woman until it was too late, he told the court. He swerved and tried to avoid impact after his lights caught reflectors on the woman’s shoes.

In court he repeatedly apologised but said “I am not the guilty party, I am a victim”.

However, the judge disagreed, saying he should have slowed down given the light conditions so he could see any obstacle in front of him.

Visibility was 60m, while his breaking distance, at 100kmph, was 65m.

The man was fined and ordered to pay court costs of around 8,700 francs.