Alcoholic driver convicted: tragic accident in Wanzenöd

Alcoholic driver convicted: tragic accident in Wanzenöd

A tragic traffic accident on March 14, 2023 in Wanzenöd, a municipality in Behamberg, now culminated in a judgment at the St. Pölten regional court. During the negotiation, an 83-year-old driver was guilty after the prosecutor Karl Fischer had lodged a complaint and appeal.

The accused was on the road with an alcohol content of 1.37 per thousand when he overtook several vehicles at a speed of about 145 km/h and ignored a double blocking line. The tragic consequence of this driving behavior was a collision with the vehicle of a 53-year-old Hungarian driver who was killed. In addition, two more vehicles were affected-a 58-year-old from the Amstetten district suffered serious injuries, while a 43-year-old Croatian suffered minor injuries.

alcoholization and judgment

Although the course of the accident was not contested, the accused rejected the allegations about his alcoholization. His defender, Ewald Wirleitner, applied for an expert opinion, which, however, did not lead to the driver's complete discharge. The judge, Andreas Jungbauer, dropped the accusation of high alcoholization in doubt, but condemned him for grossly negligent killing and grossly negligent (severe) assault.

The preliminary judgment provides for a fine of 10,080 euros, which is made up of 360 daily rates of 28 euros each. Alternatively, the defendant can compete with a replacement imprisonment of 180 days. In addition, a conditional prison sentence of ten months was given. Gerold Ludwig, the victim's representative, received a partial pain amount of 5,000 euros for the seriously injured 58-year-old. Further claims should be decided according to an expert opinion. Wirleitner waived further appeals on behalf of his client.