6:55 AM PT — 7/1 — Tour de France organizers have DROPPED their complaint against the 30-year-old woman who caused the pileup … saying the story has been “blown out of proportion.”
Race deputy director Pierre-Yves Thouault previously said the organization would sue the woman in hopes of preventing another incident … but the honchos have since had a change of heart.
The woman isn’t fully in the clear just yet — she could still face legal action from the riders who were forced to back out of the event due to the crash.
The woman who allegedly caused a massive pileup during the first stage of the Tour de France has reportedly been found and arrested … ending a 3-day search for the spectator.
As we previously reported, a woman stepped onto the road and held a cardboard sign towards the TV cameras as the pack of riders approached on Saturday … and made contact with German rider Tony Martin.
The hit caused a chain reaction … with dozens of other riders crashing behind him as a result.
The spectator immediately fled the scene … and French authorities launched a search for her, as well as a call for witnesses.
According to local reports, law enforcement believe they have found the woman responsible for starting the pileup … and took her into custody in Landerneau on Wednesday.
FYI — officials believe the woman caused “unintentional injuries by manifestly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence.”
She is reportedly facing a fine for the incident … and there could be further legal ramifications if a rider who was forced to retire from the race decides to file a complaint.
The Tour de France has been impacted by several major crashes since Saturday … and it got to a point where the riders had to stage a protest in hopes of finding a middle ground with race organizers.
Originally published — 7/30 7:17 AM PT
