French MP faces probe over suspected drunk driving

A French lawmaker from the National Rally party, Antoine Villedieu, has been placed under investigation following a road traffic accident in eastern France.

The incident occurred on the morning of April 24 on a departmental road near Noidans-lès-Vesoul in the Haute-Saône department. According to the prosecutor’s office in Vesoul, cited by foreign media, the vehicle driven by Villedieu was seen moving “in a zigzag manner” before exceeding the speed limit and colliding with another vehicle.

Police responded to the scene after receiving reports from witnesses. The driver was identified as Villedieu, a former police officer and mixed martial arts world champion who was elected to parliament in 2022.

He was transported to a hospital, where doctors determined that his condition was not compatible with being taken into custody. As a result, he has not yet been questioned and remains under medical supervision.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation on suspicion of driving in a state of clear alcohol intoxication, refusing to undergo alcohol and drug testing, and speeding under aggravating circumstances.

The case follows an earlier incident in January in Vesoul, when Villedieu was found in a confused state in the street. Police at the time were forced to use force to detain him before transferring him to medical personnel.

By Tamilla Hasanova