A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison, with eight months applicable under probation, for causing a serious accident on the A50 highway near Six-Fours while intoxicated.

The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 17, at approximately 11:50 PM, as the driver was heading towards Toulon.

The driver of a van was unable to stop in time as traffic slowed due to an earlier accident, colliding with a car from behind.

The follow-up crash involved six vehicles in total.

Authorities from the highway police reported no evidence of braking prior to the collision.

A blood test conducted on the driver revealed a blood alcohol level of 2.32 g/l. The driver admitted to consuming "thirty beers" at a bar in Beausset before the incident.

The crash resulted in two individuals sustaining injuries that necessitated ten days of total incapacitation for work.

Notably, this incident marked the fourth conviction for DUI for the driver, who was operating his employer’s vehicle at the time and also has an infant child.

During the immediate appearance hearing, the defense attorney depicted the young man as someone deeply affected by childhood trauma, including the abandonment by his mother and a father who was also absent.

The attorney emphasized that "alcoholism is a disease," advocating for a sentence that would include mandatory treatment as well as a prohibition on frequenting alcohol-serving establishments.

The court imposed a two-year ban on alcohol consumption and revoked his driving license.

The presiding judge, Philippe Plantard, cautioned the defendant regarding the critical juncture in his life, stating that he faces a choice between seeking help and continuing down a path that poses a risk of fatal accidents on the road.