Dutch Michelin Star chef was way over alcohol limit when he drove into colleague: Expert

Dutch celebrity chef Nick Bril had a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit when he hit assistant chef Joe Claridge with his car, according to expert calculations requested by the Antwerp court. His level was between 1.52 and 1.91 per mille, while the legal limit is 0.5 per mille, Belga reported Monday. Bril’s lawyers continue to insist that he was not intoxicated.

On January 8, 2024, Nick Bril got into his Land Rover in the parking lot of The Jane restaurant in Antwerp at 6:10 a.m.. He reversed, felt something under the vehicle, paused, and then drove forward again, running over assistant chef Joe Claridge twice. Claridge survived but was left in a coma. At the court hearing, Bril admitted that after exiting his car, he took a photo of the victim to send to his wife and team, and only afterward called emergency services at 6:31 a.m.

A passing jogger served as a key witness, stating that Bril initially claimed Claridge was already on the ground when he found him. The witness also observed that Bril appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

Approximately two hours after the incident, Bril took a breath test that revealed a blood alcohol level of 1.75 per mille. Due to the time lapse, the court had an expert estimate how much alcohol was in his system at the moment of the accident.

Bril’s lawyers admit that the chef was intoxicated but insist he was not legally drunk. They argue that, technically, he committed no wrongdoing and should be acquitted. According to his defense, even sober, Bril would have been unable to see Claridge because of his dark clothing, and the car’s warning signals went unheard due to the music playing in the vehicle.

Claridge remained in a coma for an extended period after the accident and ultimately lost both legs. The Public Prosecution Service has recommended 1.5 years in prison, a 4,400-euro fine, and a three-month driving ban. On behalf of Claridge and his family, a symbolic provisional compensation of 1 euro was requested. The court is set to announce its verdict on April 1.