The Tour de France recently went viral after a female fan caused a massive—MASSIVE—crash in the opening stage of the prestigious race. According to various reports, she could be facing jail time.
The 30-year-old female fan was reportedly arrested on Wednesday in Brittany, France after her cardboard sign sent the huge part of the peloton crashing like a stack of dominos last Saturday.
ESPN said she is accused of involuntarily causing injury and putting the lives of others at risk. She is also allegedly facing a fine of close to $2,000. Other reports said she could face up to two years in prison.
She was looking at the camera while holding her cardboard sign and didn't see Tony Martin coming. Martin, who hails from Germany, got sideswiped, causing a huge pile-up with 47 kilometers left in the race. Fortunately, nobody got seriously injured.
Tour de France organizers, however, still cautioned fans to “respect the safety of the riders” and not to “risk everything for a photo or to get on television.” They also said they're planning to sue the female fan (via AFP).
“We are suing this woman who behaved so badly. We are doing this so that the tiny minority of people who do this don't spoil the show for everyone.”
Prior to her reported arrest, local authorities were looking for the female fan, who apparently went into hiding.
This year's Tour de France has been marred by big crashes, prompting the peloton to halt stage 4 for about a minute last Tuesday as a form of silent protest for safer racing conditions.
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