Paolo Falzone Convicted of Seven Murders in Strépy-Bracquegnies Carnival Tragedy
A Belgian court has found Paolo Falzone guilty of seven murders and 79 attempted murders for driving his illegally modified BMW at high speed into a carnival procession in Strépy-Bracquegnies in March 2022, in a verdict that recognized his intent to kill but stopped short of finding premeditation. The 12-member jury of the Court of Assizes of Hainaut, sitting in Mons, delivered the verdict on June 12, 2026, after more than two days of deliberation, according to RTBF.
The Tragedy
In the early morning of March 20, 2022, Paolo Falzone, then 32, drove his black BMW Series 5 — which he had illegally modified to 355 horsepower and described on social media as a “petite bombe” (little bomb) — into a group of approximately 150-200 Gilles (traditional carnival participants) gathered on Rue des Canadiens in Strépy-Bracquegnies for the first carnival after COVID-19 restrictions. The vehicle reached 174 km/h seconds before impact and was traveling at 105 km/h at the moment of collision on a road limited to 50 km/h.
Six people died at the scene. A seventh victim, Christine Chavrepierre, succumbed to her injuries in September 2024. The deceased were Vito Cascarano, his wife Michelina Imperiale, Laure Gara, Frédéric Cicéro, Frédéric D’Andrea, Salvatore Imperiale, and Chavrepierre. Dozens more were injured, with 38 seriously hurt.
According to La Libre, the court found that after the initial impact, the car continued for about 100 meters before stopping briefly. Frédéric D’Andrea, who had been thrown onto the hood, fell onto the road. The vehicle then restarted and ran over him before continuing for another kilometer.
The Verdict
Court President Martine Baes, reading the jury’s reasoning, stated that “the question was no longer whether Mr. Falzone would one day cause a fatal accident, but rather when.” The jury concluded that Falzone “made of this powerful vehicle a weapon,” noting that he considered the road “his playground for the realization of his stories, imposing on other users to get out of his way.”
The jury determined that Falzone had the intent to kill — the key element distinguishing murder from involuntary homicide — but did not retain the aggravating circumstance of premeditation. This means Falzone was convicted of murder (meurtre) rather than assassination (assassinat), sparing him a potential life sentence. He now faces up to 30 years imprisonment.
As Paris Match Belgique reported, the jury found that the time between Falzone’s decision to speed into the crowd and the actual impact was insufficient to constitute the “mature reflection” required for premeditation under Belgian law.
The Passenger
Antonino Falzone, the passenger who shares the same surname but is unrelated to Paolo, was found guilty of failing to assist persons in danger — 59 counts including 5 minors. According to DH/Les Sports+, the jury determined that Antonino had full awareness of the grave danger from the moment of impact but failed to render aid. He faces up to two years in prison.
Key Evidence
The court relied heavily on several factors: Falzone’s history of dangerous driving, his social media videos showing him filming himself at extreme speeds, his illegal modification of the vehicle, and expert testimony demonstrating that he had time to brake but chose not to. The court noted that Falzone held his phone in one hand to film a “beautiful story” for social media while accelerating into the crowd.
Sentencing and Next Steps
The sentencing phase is scheduled for the week of June 15-17, 2026. The prosecution has sought the maximum penalty of 30 years. Falzone’s defense lawyer, Frank Discepoli, has argued for a lesser sentence. In his final statement to the court on June 10, Falzone said: “I am aware that I drove like a madman, like an irresponsible person. I never wanted to kill anyone.”
The case has drawn enormous public attention in Belgium due to the scale of the tragedy, the shocking details of the incident, and the broader societal questions it raises about road safety and social media culture. Victim reactions reported by RTBF included expressions of relief: “We can finally begin our mourning.”
Broader Implications
The verdict is considered landmark for recognizing that a driver’s actions in a traffic incident can constitute intentional murder — a high legal bar. The court’s characterization of Falzone’s vehicle as a weapon sets a significant legal precedent. Questions remain about potential appeals and what compensation victims will receive under Belgian law.