Late on Thursday night around 10:50 pm, an unusual traffic accident occurred on Kamper Straße in Solingen Ohligs, prompting the police and fire department to respond.
Eyewitnesses reported a white Ford Transit that had veered off the road on Berliner Brücke towards Merscheid and crashed into a traffic light. The impact completely knocked down the traffic light system. The vehicle only came to a stop when its front bumper got caught on a construction sign and its accompanying feet.
After the accident, the driver of the vehicle apparently fled on foot towards Mühlenstraße. Witnesses who observed the incident and promptly notified the emergency services remained at the scene and provided the responding teams with information about the accident and the possible direction in which the driver fled.
45-year-old man hid from the police
An immediate search in the vicinity eventually led to success: near the train tracks on Mühlenstraße, the emergency services found a person hiding behind a hedge. The 45-year-old man from Leverkusen, who appeared to have injuries, was temporarily arrested and treated by the ambulance service. Since the individual showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol, he was taken to the police station for a blood test.
Father blamed absent son
In an initial interrogation, the 45-year-old admitted to being in the vehicle at the time of the accident but claimed he was not the driver. Instead, he accused his 17-year-old son, who allegedly was driving the vehicle. However, the son, also from Leverkusen, was not present at the time of the search. A phone call revealed that the teenager was at a gas station in Solingen, several kilometers away from the accident site.
Driver’s licenses and wrecked vehicle seized
The police located the 17-year-old and brought him to the station for further questioning. According to a police spokesperson, both the father and his son had their driver’s licenses temporarily revoked. Although the 17-year-old has a learner’s permit, the law stipulates that the accompanying driver must be sober – a requirement that was apparently not met in this case, assuming he was the one driving. In an initial statement, the son claimed to have no knowledge of the accident, let alone driving the vehicle.
The police impounded the accident vehicle and had it towed away by a towing company. Specialists from the traffic department will now analyze evidence on the vehicle to determine the actual driver.
During the accident investigation, Kamper Straße was temporarily closed towards Merscheid. Traffic was redirected past the accident site. The accident and the damaged traffic light system resulted in significant property damage.
Insight: It is crucial for drivers to adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations to prevent accidents and avoid legal consequences. In situations where accidents occur, honesty and cooperation with law enforcement are essential to determine liability accurately and ensure justice is served. Parents should also educate their children about responsible driving practices and the importance of following traffic rules to prevent accidents and protect lives.