Long-awaited results of tests on Princess Diana's Mercedes show the car had no technical problems, was going slower than originally believed, and definitely brushed against a Fiat Uno, sources close to the investigation said Friday.
The tests on the Mercedes, which have been conducted for the past 13 months at a police lab outside Paris, have been seen as the biggest piece of the puzzle still missing in the investigation into Diana's death in a Paris traffic tunnel on Aug. 31, 1997.Two sources, both of whom spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the tests had been completed and will be transmitted to Judge Herve Stephan on Nov. 2. They included both crash tests and tests using a computer.
According to the sources, they showed that:
- The Mercedes had no problems with its brakes, contrary to reported testimony in the police record that the car was dangerous when braking suddenly.
It also had no problems with its air bags, the sources said. Investigators were believed to have been looking at whether the front air bags may have inflated before the car struck the tunnel's pillar - perhaps as a result of the brush with the Uno.
- That driver Henri Paul was only going 62 mph. That is much slower than initial reports speculated. Still, it is twice the speed limit for that area.
Paul, who was drunk at the time of the crash, was killed, as was Diana's boyfriend, Dodi Fayed. The only survivor was bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones.
- That the Mercedes, as has long been believed, did indeed have a brush with a Fiat Uno before crashing. However, it is not known to what extent the incident caused the crash.
Police have questioned almost 3,000 owners of Fiat Unos, but are thought to have long ago given up hope of finding either the car or the owner.
Judge Stephan will have to decide whether he now has enough information to complete his investigation.
Still in limbo are the 10 paparazzi, under formal investigation in the crash. It is believed that they will be cleared on the manslaughter charge, but a few may be tried on the charge of failing to aid people in danger.
The Mercedes was rented by the Ritz Hotel from the Etoile Limousine company. The Ritz, where Diana and Dodi Fayed dined that night, is owned by Mohamed Al Fayed - Dodi's father.
Before concluding the investigation, Stephan has several other elements to consider, including a report on the level of carbon in the driver's blood, a report on the exact causes of death of the victims, as well as a suit by Rees-Jones against the Ritz and Etoile Limousine, claiming they endangered the lives of others by failing to provide a licensed chauffeur.
The main causes of the crash are still believed to be drunkenness and speed.
Repeated blood tests found Paul was drunk at the time of the crash. That, and even a speed of 62 mph into curving tunnel, created a highly dangerous mix.