Crime - Driver flees from police - speeding driver arrested
A 40-year-old man with a beard fled from the police in Berlin-Mitte after being observed driving through several red traffic lights and at high speed. A police officer off-duty in the night spotted the driver. He pursued the car and called his colleagues.
Arrest after pursuit
The police squad wanted to stop the car at the intersection of Gertraudenstraße and Fischerinsel with blue lights and a siren across the street. However, the 40-year-old did not brake and collided with the police car instead. According to the police, only a dangerous braking by the officers prevented an accident. The car then accelerated again, and the man continued to flee from the police. Shortly thereafter, they managed to stop the car and arrest the 40-year-old.
Seizure after pursuit
During the search of the man, the police allegedly found a small amount of cannabis. The suspect also confessed to having consumed cannabis. The car was confiscated, and the man was taken to give a blood sample. The 40-year-old is now being investigated for reckless driving and endangering the traffic while under the influence of drugs.
Berlin is a hotspot for reckless driving
Berlin is known to be a hotspot for reckless driving cases. Last year, the justice system in the city initiated investigations in a total of 811 cases (2022: 755). This was the second-highest number of proceedings since a legislative amendment in 2017.
The seized car was found to have multiple traffic violations, including driving through several red lights and speeding. The arresting officers noted that the 40-year-old had a strong odor of cannabis in the vehicle. After the arrest, the man was transported to a local police station in Berlin.
