The Spanish truck driver who drove into a neighborhood party in Nieuw-Beijerland in August 2022 was sentenced to more than three years in prison on Thursday. Seven people died in the accident, including an unborn child.
The 48-year-old Juan C.S. must spend a total of 36 months in prison. In addition, he will receive a driving ban of five years.
Three years ago, the driver drove his truck into a neighborhood barbecue in Nieuw-Beijerland, just south of Rotterdam. He lost control of the steering wheel, after which the vehicle drove down from a dike and ended up in a garden. The neighborhood barbecue was taking place there at that time.
C.S. suffers from epilepsy and should therefore not have been driving a truck, the Rotterdam court ruled. The driver had an epileptic seizure during the accident.
According to the judge, the Spanish man is therefore responsible for the death of seven people and the serious bodily injury of seven injured people. He has inflicted “deep and irreparable suffering” on the relatives and victims, the judge said when pronouncing the verdict.
The judge imposed the maximum driving ban because she is not convinced of the Spaniard’s promise never to drive a truck again. After the accident, the man reapplied for his driving license after the Public Prosecution Service (OM) had confiscated it.
Acquittal for driving under the influence
The Public Prosecution Service had demanded 4.5 years in prison and a driving ban of seven years. The sentence is lower because the driver has been acquitted of driving under the influence.
C.S. was not present at the pronouncement due to his financial situation. The court had previously obliged him to be present at the pronouncement, but still agreed to his absence. Relatives found his absence “painful” and “disrespectful”.
They are satisfied with the pronouncement. “They are happy that the court has said that the suspect should have taken his responsibility,” says lawyer Yvonne van der Hut, who assists part of the relatives.
The driver previously expressed his regret to the relatives and those involved during the trial. “I didn’t want this. But it happened and it’s terrible,” he said emotionally. “I know that there are no words that can alleviate this loss. But I want you to know that I carry this pain with me every day.” He maintains that he cannot remember anything about the accident.