There are still open questions about the tragic accidental death of a child in Dresden. The six-year-old boy may have fallen victim to a frenzy. The uncertainty should soon end.
Dresden (AP) - After the death of a six-year-old as a result of an alleged illegal car race in Dresden, the police received several information from the population.
"All are recorded and checked," said a police spokesman on Monday without giving details of the numbers and content. The boy was hit by a car while crossing a street on Saturday night. He died a little later in the hospital. Two drivers aged 31 and 23 are accused.
Officials arrested the elder on Sunday afternoon. He is reportedly in police custody and should be brought before an investigating judge on Monday. The police wanted to provide further details during the day.
The 31-year-old is being investigated for negligent homicide and dangerous interference with road traffic. In addition, a preliminary investigation into a prohibited motor vehicle race was initiated against both men. Frenzy and illegal street races have been considered a criminal offense in Germany since 2017 and no longer an administrative offense. According to the penal code, this is punishable by up to two years imprisonment or a fine.
The boy was hit by a car on the Budapester Straße in the direction of the center on Saturday evening. The child was thrown against a bus stop. She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and died a little later.
A 2016 case made headlines in Berlin in which a speedster was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. He'd had a race with another man downtown. A pensioner died in a collision with another car. The Federal Court of Justice confirmed the judgment a few weeks ago.
A survey among the federal states recently showed that the number of speeders and "racing drivers" on Germany's roads is growing. According to experts, organized illegal races are rarely seen. On the other hand, there are frequent short-term races or spontaneous encounters.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200824-99-280507 / 3