accident
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office has started a judicial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident at The Jane restaurant. Star chef Nick Bril drove his British assistant chef there in early January.
Joe Claridge (37), from the British Channel Island of Jersey, was hit by Nick Bril on January 8 after a New Year’s party. He is still in a medically induced coma. The star chef told police that he had not seen Claridge, who was already on the ground before the collision. Bril was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.67, the equivalent of at least eight drinks in a short period of time.
At the beginning of February, Claridge’s family filed a civil complaint, prompting the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office to launch a judicial investigation. “The family has filed a civil action because they want to know what is happening in the investigation,” says Karel Mul, lawyer for the family. “There are still many questions left unanswered.”
Master Mul cannot provide details about Joe Claridge’s medical condition for the time being. “But he’s not doing well. He is still in a medically induced coma. His family has been living in uncertainty for 43 days and it will continue for some time. It doesn’t look like his condition will improve anytime soon.”
At the beginning of February, Nick Bril expressed his regret and condolences to the family on Instagram. “I think about Joe and his family all the time,” he wrote. “Strange, because the family has not heard anything from Mr Bril so far,” says Mul. “That is the difference between show and reality.”
