French Blame Paul

After a month of investigation, French authorities are saying it was excessive speed and alcohol to blame for the crash that killed Princess Diana, rather than pursuing paparazzi.

The Investigation Rees-Jones Interviewed In an interview with French investigators, Trevor Rees-Jones said it was Dodi Fayed's idea to call drunk driver Henri Paul back to work. Investigation Hits Snag The investigation into the auto crash that killed Diana, Princess of Wales, ran into a stumbling block when the lone survivor said he can't remember anything about it. Bar-Hopping Driver? The man who drove Princess Diana to her death may have started bar-hopping at 4 o'clock that afternoon. Hotel to Face Charges? French authorities may be considering filing charges against the Paris Ritz Hotel while Henri Paul's former employers continue to try to distance themselves from responsibility. Blood Alcohol Content The latest blood test shows that Paul was not only drunk, he was also taking an antidepressant drug and may have stopped taking one prescribed for alcohol abuse. Antidepressants and Alcohol Diane Hunter examines the potency of this very dangerous "cocktail." Conflicting Reports In the early stages of the investigation, conflicting reports and finger-pointing dominated. How Drunk Was He? A study of just what it means to have a .175 blood alcohol content and try to drive. Drunk Driving The Dangers The likelihood of a driver having an accident is increased with each drink he takes. The Penalties In case you haven't noticed, the penalties for drinking and driving have been getting tougher. The Effects Links to internet resources about the risks of drinking and driving and society's reaction.

But investigators have still not ruled on the role of a possible second car in the crash. Yesterday, investigators reconstructed the accident scene in the Paris tunnel.

According to a MSNBC report, Chauffeur Henri Paul, who died in the Aug. 31 Paris crash along with Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed, was driving "at a very high speed" and had a criminal level of alcohol in his blood, investigators have found.

These findings made it unlikely that the nine photographers and one photo agency motorcyclist formally targeted in the investigation would be brought to trial on charges of manslaughter, in the opinion of their lawyers, a Reuters report said.

"In this crash, we find a combination of the two principal causes of accidents in France: alcohol and speed," said one source close to the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Certainly, there are some avenues of investigation which are still being explored. But at this stage there is nothing unusual about this accident," the source was quoted.

The Reuters report said re-enactments like the one conducted Monday, are typically used by French justice authorities to help work out unsolved aspects of a crime and resolve conflicting testimony.

Re-enactments are typically dull affairs but this one drew hundreds of journalists and perhaps thousands of curiosity-seekers to the Place de l'Alma.

Before the re-enactment were staged, the magistrates wanted a laboratory in suburban Paris to complete its analysis of some paint chips and glass fragments found at the scene of the accident as well as streaks of paint found on the Mercedes' right-front fender and rear-view mirror.

Investigators say the paint chips, glass fragments and streaks are likely to have no bearing on the cause of the accident.

But they say they cannot yet rule out the possibility they came from a car which was side-swiped by the Mercedes as the speeding limousine came around a curve just before entering the tunnel under the Place de l'Alma where the crash took place.

They say the mystery car -- possibly a Fiat Uno, judging from the shards of glass -- might have been driving far slower than the Mercedes or may have swerved in front of it, causing driver Paul to lose control.

But in the end, whether another vehicle was involved or not, drinking and speeding will continue to be considered a main factor in the crash.

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