Lille (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Local police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck a 59-year-old female cyclist on the E34 on- and off-ramp in Lille this morning, leaving her with minor injuries.
In Lille, local law enforcement officials started an investigation into a hit-and-run accident that occurred during morning hours at E34, both entry and exit points, when a 59-year-old female cyclist was injured by a vehicle driver. A hospital treated the cyclist from Dessel after he obtained minor injuries from the accident. Law enforcement is looking for the motorist who fled the location after failing to stop at the accident site.
RTV published a report in which the police verified that the incident occurred along Wechelsebaan in Lille. Various witness reports show the involved driver continued driving instead of helping the collision victim. Peter Van Gorp, who works for the local police zone Turnhout, informed reporters that “The driver simply continued driving away.” Authority officials searched for the driver involved in the incident, who left without stopping. Police are conducting investigations to identify the fugitive driver as they actively seek community assistance with their efforts. Medical professionals treated the cyclist immediately after the accident, and she showed signs of recovery from her wounds.
How common are cycling accidents?
The number of cycling-related accidents has emerged as a serious concern across European cities, and Lille has shown growing cases of such incidents. Research shows that cycling accidents contributed to 10% of all traffic-related injuries throughout Belgium during recent years. The measures adopted by Lille through dedicated bike lanes and awareness campaigns failed to address the ongoing hit-and-run cases for cyclist safety.
This trend emerges through recent recorded cases. On February 1, 2025, the death of a cyclist in West Perth occurred when a motorist drove away after hitting the cyclist. A hit-and-run accident caused serious injuries to a cyclist in Dromiskin on January 6, 2025. Hit-and-run incidents prove to be an issue extending beyond specific areas because these incidents appear nationwide, indicating the need for stronger enforcement and public surveillance of traffic regulations.
