Belgian Driver Gets 27 Years for Strépy Carnival Tragedy

Paolo Falzone, 38, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Wednesday by the Hainaut Court of Assizes in Mons, Belgium, for the 2022 Strépy carnival tragedy that killed seven people and injured dozens more. The court found him guilty of seven counts of intentional homicide and 79 counts of attempted homicide after he drove his illegally modified BMW at 174 km/h into a crowd of carnival-goers participating in a traditional Gilles parade in Strépy-Bracquegnies.

The Tragedy

On the morning of 20 March 2022, around 150–200 people had gathered in the small town of Strépy-Bracquegnies, about 50 km south of Brussels, to take part in a cherished local carnival tradition. Participants dressed as “Gilles” — comical figures in traditional costumes — were parading through the streets when Falzone’s BMW plowed into the crowd from behind at more than three times the 50 km/h speed limit.

According to the VRT NWS liveblog, Falzone was holding his phone and recording a video for social media at the time of the crash. His car had been illegally modified from 292 to 355 horsepower without the knowledge of the leasing company, insurer, or vehicle registration authority. He called his vehicle “petite bombe” (little bomb).

Six people died at the scene. A seventh victim, Christine Chavrepierre, survived for two and a half years but was completely paralyzed and ultimately died from complications of her injuries.

The Verdict

On 12 June 2026, the jury found Falzone guilty of intentional homicide (doodslag) — meaning he acted with intent to kill but without premeditation. He was acquitted of the more serious charge of premeditated murder (moord) for victim Frédéric D’Andrea, which had been requested by the civil parties.

In its reasoning, the jury stated: “He created a weapon out of this powerful vehicle. He called his car ‘petite bombe’. Roads were a playground for him.” The court further noted that “it wasn’t a question of whether he would cause an accident but when.”

Falzone’s cousin and passenger, Antonino F., was found guilty of criminal negligence (schuldig verzuim) toward 59 people in need and received a two-year suspended sentence. The court noted that Antonino F. did nothing to help the victims, called his mother before seeking help, and pulled victims off the hood of the car, leaving them in the street.

Sentencing

On 17 June, the court handed down the 27-year sentence — exactly what the prosecution had requested. The court cited “a total lack of respect for human life,” the extreme violence of the acts committed against a group including children during a celebration, and the fact that the car was used as a weapon. The presiding judge described Falzone as “a crazy man behind the wheel” with “limited capacity for empathy” and “emotional detachment.”

Falzone was immediately taken into custody. The Belga News Agency reported that the decision to detain him was met with applause from the public gallery, though the judge quickly silenced it, stating: “Applause has no place here, although it is sometimes difficult to contain emotions.”

Notably, no lifetime driving ban could be imposed because current Belgian law does not allow it for this type of offense. Legislative reform is expected in September 2026, but it comes too late for this case.

Victim Impact

The trial, which lasted one and a half months, forced victims and their families to relive the trauma through graphic testimony, videos, and photographs. Sandra André, widow of victim Frédéric D’Andrea, read a powerful letter to Falzone during the proceedings: “He has stolen more than 30 years of my life, but above all, he destroyed the lives of my daughters. I will hold that against him until my death.”

Survivor Nicole Greuse welcomed the sentence, telling VRT NWS: “It’s adequate, I’m satisfied. This was the trial we needed to have. We have faith in justice, this was an example from the start.”

However, Marianna Imperiale, daughter of victim Salvatore Imperiale, expressed mixed feelings: “The 27-year sentence I find correct, but that the passenger will never go to prison is very shocking.”

Legal Implications and What’s Next

The case has exposed a significant gap in Belgian law: the inability to impose a lifetime driving ban for crimes committed with a vehicle, even when the vehicle was used as a weapon. The verdict also establishes a precedent for treating vehicles used in reckless driving as “weapons” when intent to harm can be proven.

A separate hearing on civil damages for the victims’ families is scheduled for September 2026. Both defendants have 15 days to appeal the verdict to the Court of Cassation.

As the BBC News reported in its initial coverage of the 2022 incident, the tragedy struck a community gathering to celebrate a cherished tradition. For the town of Strépy-Bracquegnies, where practically every resident knew one of the victims, the verdict brings a measure of closure to one of Belgium’s most shocking criminal cases in recent history — even as the long process of healing has only just begun.