Justice
Cyclist Herman Tanghe became the first known fatal victim of flakka in our country in September last year. The man who hit him while he was under the influence of the ‘designer drug’ has been given the maximum sentence by the police judge in Veurne.
32-year-old KK from Houthulst was sentenced to five years in prison, half of which is suspended, an 8,000 euro fine, half of which is also suspended, and an effective driving ban of five years. The man must also retake his driving tests and was imposed with an ‘Article 42’: this means that he is not allowed to drive again for life unless a doctor declares that he has kicked his addiction.
On September 2 last year, KK killed a cyclist on the Esenweg in Diksmuide. He drove at 112 kilometers per hour in a built-up area. He first drove on the left of a roundabout, then collided with a vehicle in front, rolled over several times and hit Herman Tanghe (62).
Tanghe died, several people were slightly injured and four cars were completely destroyed. KK tried to flee and hit some people who tried to stop him with an umbrella. The man appeared to be heavily under the influence of the synthetic drug flakka.
“Regret is a theater piece”
“The facts were caused by the completely antisocial, selfish behavior of KK,” said the police judge in Veurne. “He gave his own pleasure without any qualms priority over the traffic rules. Flakka led to zombie behavior in him, he behaved completely inhuman and reckless and flouted all the rules. He endangered several lives and took one. His behavior afterwards was also inhumane: what interested him most was the preservation of his home and that others were not allowed to speak ill of him. He showed not an ounce of remorse. His regret at the hearing is not sincere. All this was a piece of theater.”
Nevertheless, the police judge granted KK another chance. “The court leaves the door a tiny crack, in the hope that you will give something back to society. Half of the imposed prison sentence and fine are suspended under conditions. You will be given an absolute ban on alcohol and drugs and will have to be admitted to a residential institution when you are released. I hope that you can still repent in this way.”
Because the public prosecutor did not demand immediate arrest, KK may soon be released. Then he must be admitted immediately. Tanghe’s relatives must also be compensated.
