Fatal accident after traffic quarrel between others: community service | Inland

The man drove behind two cars, the occupants of which were arguing with each other. One car overtook the other – across a solid line – and came to a sudden stop. The driver ran at the other car with a hammer. Van T. was driving his van and had completely missed the fight. At 80 kilometers per hour, it hit the rear of the two cars. In it were four brothers and the girlfriend of one of them. She and one of the brothers were killed. Another brother was seriously and permanently injured, he is in a wheelchair. The other two brothers were also seriously injured.

‘Not paying attention’

The court emphasized no doubt that Van T. never wanted this accident. “But it cannot be otherwise than that he has not been paying attention for a long time.” The accident could have been prevented if he had, the judge said. “An event as serious as this cannot go without punishment.”

In addition to a community service sentence of 240 hours, a suspended sentence of two months and a driving ban of eighteen months had been demanded against Van T. for, among other things, careless driving. The court finds this demand too severe, in particular a prison sentence. Van T. also needs his driver’s license for his work, which is why this sentence is conditional.

“I think it’s terrible for the relatives. It is terrible, I will never forgive myself, ”said a very emotional Van T. two weeks ago during the handling of the case against the judge. He was not present at the judgment.

The man with whom the traffic argument was, was sentenced on appeal last July to a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a four-year ban on driving for reckless driving. He was under the influence of drugs.

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