Fatal Accident on the Drau Cycle Path: Prison Sentence for Carinthian Farmer

A 66-year-old farmer was found guilty of grossly negligent homicide on Monday at the Klagenfurt Regional Court. In July, he hit a 73-year-old e-bike rider with the tractor trailer while overtaking on the Drau cycle path in Molzbichl near Spittal an der Drau. The cyclist died from severe injuries. The 66-year-old was legally sentenced to a fine of 1,280 euros (320 daily rates) and five months of suspended imprisonment.

"Tragic Misjudgment" by the Farmer

Overtaking at all with this trailer, a rotary rake, on the narrow road was a "tragic misjudgment," said Judge Christian Liebhauser-Karl in the reasoning of the verdict. With a sentencing range of three years, the farmer's clean record and confession were considered mitigating factors. The widow of the accident victim was awarded around 2,300 euros in compensation for pain and suffering, and the 66-year-old had already paid the funeral costs of around 8,500 euros.

Defendant Takes Responsibility

The farmer, who transferred the farm to his son three years ago, took responsibility for the accident. He has been driving with the rake on the tractor for 15 years, also on the Drau cycle path. He knows that overtaking is tricky there due to the narrow road. "You have no chance in oncoming traffic without both parties swerving." He believes that cyclists are not sufficiently aware that agricultural vehicles are also allowed to drive there.

When he saw immediately before the accident that the side distance was insufficient, he made the wrong decision. "I had the opportunity to abort the overtaking maneuver. But I decided to continue driving further to the left." The expert believes it is possible that this only made everything worse. "Such a long vehicle is not track-stable." Especially when the left wheels are no longer on solid ground, it is possible that the rake moves further to the right. After the verdict, all parties waived the right to appeal.

(APA/Red)

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