Judgment after Fatal Alcohol-Related Drive in St. Pölten

Because he allegedly hit and killed a 20-year-old motorcyclist with his car in Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf (district of St. Pölten-Land) in September, a 41-year-old was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Thursday in St. Pölten. The conviction for grossly negligent manslaughter is not legally binding. The confessing Lower Austrian - who had at least 2.2 per mille - had veered onto the opposite lane of the L113 with his car.

41-Year-Old Initiated Resuscitation Measures

The serious collision occurred on what the single judge described as the "dead straight road" on the afternoon of September 27. The 20-year-old biker succumbed to her severe injuries at the scene. Witnesses had already noticed the 41-year-old's risky driving behavior shortly before. However, he himself thought he had good control of the car, the defendant stated.

There was a "huge bang" during the collision. He got out and saw the 20-year-old lying there, the accused said. Subsequently, he initiated resuscitation attempts. The 41-year-old himself suffered a concussion and fractures in the collision.

Why Beer and Schnapps? "I Really Don't Know"

Before he got behind the wheel of the car, he had consumed beer and schnapps in a bar in Traismauer (district of St. Pölten). What prompted him to drink? "I really don't know."

In general, it was not the 41-year-old's first drunk driving incident. According to the judge, the man has had numerous administrative offenses since 2021 and was caught twice driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, the Austrian citizen was sentenced to six months of conditional imprisonment in 2023 for property damage in Vienna. On Thursday, a revocation of the suspended sentence was waived, but the probation period was extended to five years.

Defense Attorney: "Biggest Mistake of His Life"

After the traffic accident in September, the defendant was treated as an inpatient, the defense attorney argued. The 41-year-old was not doing well "health-wise and mentally," and he now speaks of the "biggest mistake of his life": "Not a single day goes by without him thinking about this incident."

Driving under the influence of alcohol is currently on the rise and is also being trivialized, the single judge emphasized in the reasoning for the verdict. "Only when something happens," then it can be "associated with very tragic consequences." Therefore, a penalty was necessary that also acts as a general deterrent. However, from the perspective "of the parents of the deceased, one will probably never be able to judge appropriately in terms of guilt and action." The defense attorney announced an appeal against the verdict, and the prosecutor made no statement.

(APA/Red)

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