Almost two years after the tragic death of a 23-year-old woman in Malchin (<a href="https://www.world-today-news.com/universities-neubrandenburg-university-of-applied-sciences-neubrandenburg-stable-number-of-freshmen-education/" title="Universities – Neubrandenburg – University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg: Stable number of freshmen – education”>Mecklenburg Lake District), the then driver appeared before the district court in Neubrandenburg on Tuesday.
Public prosecutor’s office accuses hit-and-run
The then 21-year-old driver from Neubrandenburg is accused by the public prosecutor in this connection of hit-and-run. According to the police investigation, the accused hit the victim on the evening of December 25, 2022 between 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. and continued driving.
The fatally injured pedestrian was only found on the side of the road by a passer-by on the morning of December 26th. The death of 23-year-old Friederike Schnepf, who studied at the Rostock University of Music and Theater, on Christmas Day 2022 caused a stir far beyond Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The young woman, who was also known as an opera singer, was visiting her parents in Malchin at the time.
The accused responded to the call for witnesses
The accused continued driving and only contacted the police later after calling for witnesses. She stated that she had heard a bang in Malchin on Christmas Day, but had not noticed the accident. There were also marks and damage on her car that were consistent with the accident.
Forensics later determined that even quick medical help could not have saved the 23-year-old’s life. As a result, the initial investigation into negligent homicide against the driver was later discontinued by the public prosecutor’s office, but she has to answer for hit-and-run.
Several witnesses have been invited to the trial, including a technical expert. Depending on the severity of the consequences, a hit-and-run is punishable by a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years.
