Trial Against Speedster After Driving at 100 km/h Through Pedestrian Zone in Baden

The prosecutor explained the events at the Vienna Regional Court that the jury had to deal with. The 34-year-old was stopped by the police for a driver and vehicle check. When the two officers attempted to carry out their task, the man accelerated the car.

After driving at 100 km/h through pedestrian zone in Baden: "Miraculously, nothing happened"

"The police officer, who was standing diagonally in front of the vehicle, was able to jump aside at the last moment." Subsequently, the 34-year-old recklessly sped through the center of the Lower Austrian spa town at far excessive speed to shake off the patrol car pursuing him: "It was a Sunday afternoon with nice weather. People were strolling through the pedestrian zone or sitting in the outdoor cafes enjoying an ice cream. They panicked when the black car came along. The passersby thought it was a rampage." Only due to fortunate circumstances were there no injuries, emphasized the prosecutor: "Miraculously, nothing happened."

Psychiatric illness of speeder: Admission to forensic-therapeutic center

After the arrest of the 34-year-old, it emerged that he had been sentenced by the regional court to 20 and 22 months of unconditional imprisonment in 2022 and 2024, respectively, but had not served the sentences due to being unfit for detention. He has been suffering from schizophrenia for several years as a result of multiple substance abuse, has been admitted and treated in various hospitals in an acute psychotic state multiple times, and was unable to pursue regular work. A psychiatric expert confirmed that he was not accountable at the time of the offense due to his persistent and severe mental disorder. At the end of the trial, the 34-year-old was admitted to a forensic-therapeutic center. Why his driver's license had not been revoked ex officio despite all this was not addressed in the trial.

Speeder exercised right to remain silent during trial

"I apologize. I am truly sorry, Madam Prosecutor, Madam Judge," said the 34-year-old. Apart from that, he exercised his right to remain silent. "My client is insightful. He knows he needs treatment, that who knows what else could happen," remarked defense attorney Rudolf Mayer. The placement in the so-called preventive detention according to § 21 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code is final. Had the mentally ill person been accountable, he would have been held responsible for intentional public endangerment, resisting state authority, and attempted serious bodily harm.

(APA/Red)

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