Car racing trial - Friend dies while fleeing from police - "I was devastated"
A man stood before the court at the Westerstede Magistrates' Court and regretted running away from the police too quickly, carrying the burden of guilt for his friend. "Shit went wrong for me afterwards," said the defendant at the trial's outset. "I was on the ground." The prosecution accuses the defendant of unlawful car racing resulting in death, but also theft, fraud, endangering road traffic, and hit-and-run.
He had met up with a few friends at the marketplace in Edewecht (Ammerland District) at the end of September, the defendant testified. They had drunk beer together, taken Cocaine, Speed, and a particularly strong Ecstasy variant. His friends had convinced him to steal a car.
Racing with the police in a drug-induced haze
In a drug-induced stupor, he broke into a company through a smashed window, took several car keys with him, and drove away in a car, the 23-year-old testified. He picked up his friend, went to Oldenburg to fill up on gas, and both drove away without paying. During the drive, they discussed how to pay off their drug debts. He was so engrossed in the debate that he stopped at a red light with it switched off. This attracted the police's attention, as they were already investigating the gas station robbery.
The defendant stated that he had accelerated the car, drove through the city, and eventually onto the A28 motorway towards Bremen. While fleeing from the police, he had driven over 200 kilometers per hour at times. At the Hatten (Oldenburg District) interchange, he had left the motorway, heavily braked, and ended up in a ditch. He had realized too late that the right rear tire and the car's axle had been damaged.
Escape from police ends fatally
To completely evade control, he continued driving at up to 160 kilometers per hour after the accident, the defendant said. His passenger had encouraged him further. "He kept urging me to keep going," the defendant said. In a curve, he lost control of the car, left the road, and collided with a tree. At first, his friend on the passenger seat was still breathing, the defendant testified. Only at the police station did he learn that his friend had died a short time later in the hospital. The defendant himself had sustained several cuts and had broken his little finger, he said.
The defendant's lawyer confirmed: "My client regrets and regrets what happened," said the defense attorney. The deceased was a close friend of the defendant. "That was his super-buddy for him."
Defendant admits to three other burglaries
After his friend's death, the defendant was initially afraid to get behind the wheel again, he admitted in response to questioning. "That's why I was drunk most of the days and on drugs," said the 23-year-old.
At the end of October, the defendant reportedly joined another company. There, he took keys, tools, and beer kegs with him to settle debts with a friend. Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he left the company premises with a stolen transporter. Later in the night, he is said to have crashed the transporter. In order to free the vehicle, he allegedly stole a bulldozer. The plan failed.
Additionally, the defendant admitted to two burglaries in Bad Zwischenahn in mid-February. Once again, it was about cars. "I'm a car enthusiast," explained the 23-year-old. However, he had lost his driver's license several years ago due to drug use. A verdict could fall on Monday (11:30 am).
- The incident occurred in Westerstede, a town in Lower Saxony, where the defendant stood before the Local Court.
- During their meeting at the marketplace in Edewecht, they consumed alcohol, Cocaine, Speed, and a potent Ecstasy variant, which led to car racing.
- The defendant, under the influence of drugs, fled from the police on the A28 motorway towards Bremen, reaching speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour.
- Despite the accident in Hatten, the defendant continued to flee at high speeds, urged on by his passenger, ultimately losing control of the car and colliding with a tree.
- After the fatal accident, the defendant's friend passed away in the hospital, while he sustained injuries and a broken finger.
- Following the accident, the defendant admitted to three other burglaries in Oldenburg, including stealing a transporter under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
- The police are also investigating two burglaries in Bad Zwischenahn, involving car thefts, which the defendant confessed to, citing his passion for cars.
