Stéphane Ramond, mayor of Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, was violently assaulted Thursday afternoon after confronting a motorist over dangerous driving.
The incident took place on rue Albert-Maignan, where the mayor runs a bicycle repair shop. Stéphane Ramond saw a car speed past and decided to intervene when the vehicle returned. The exchange escalated and the driver struck him in the face while saying “we don’t care that you’re mayor”.
The official was knocked to the ground and suffered facial and elbow contusions plus neck pain. He filed a complaint and the alleged assailant turned himself in to gendarmes. The man, in his thirties, was due to appear Friday for immediate trial at the judicial court in Le Mans.
Stéphane Ramond, mayor for three or four months, said the episode strengthened his commitment to continue serving. The town hall and residents expressed support on social media.