Traffic - Family father dies in accident with speeding driver: probation
After the death of a family father on Autobahn 44 due to an accident caused by a drunk driver without a license, the latter was sentenced to ten months' probation for reckless driving and driving without a license. A 33-year-old man from Düsseldorf died in March 2023 in the wreckage of his car. The limousine of a 47-year-old man from Krefeld was driving at a speed of 240 km/h towards a car that was approximately half as fast.
The defendant was not convicted for manslaughter on Wednesday, but only for reckless drunk driving and driving without a license. As part of the settlement, he must pay the victim's widow 5000 Euro in compensation. In addition, a five-year driving ban was imposed on him.
According to the expert opinion, it could not be ruled out that the later victim had turned back from an Autobahn ramp to the right lane just before the collision, as the limousine approached.
"I'm deeply sorry, I didn't want this", the 47-year-old told the widow. He admitted that he had been drunk at the time and did not have a driver's license. He had drunk more due to personal problems.
"My husband was on his way home from Krefeld – from football training", said the 35-year-old widow. She is now alone with her four-year-old son.
The defendant had lost his driver's license three years ago due to drunkenness in traffic and had already been sentenced twice for driving without a license with intent. The prosecutor had requested a sentence of two and a half years in prison, without probation, in view of the past. The judgment is not yet legally binding.
- Despite the defendant's history of traffic violations, including losing his driver's license for drunkenness and being sentenced twice for driving without a license with intent, he was only given a sentence of ten months' probation for the recent accident.
- The accident on Autobahn 44 resulted in a fatality, as a 33-year-old man from Düsseldorf died in March 2023 after colliding with a limousine travelling at a high speed.
- The investigation in North Rhine-Westphalia revealed that the defendant was driving without a license and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, which took place near Neuss.
- The expert opinion suggested that the victim may have turned back into the right lane just before the collision, but it was not definitively proven.
- As part of his probation, the defendant must pay the victim's widow 5000 Euro in compensation, in addition to serving a five-year driving ban.
- The prosecutor had argued for a sentence of two and a half years in prison, but the judge opted for probation, citing the defendant's remorse and the potential for rehabilitation.
