Drunk Tyrolean without driving licence convicted after tree crash in Breitenbach
A 20-year-old crashed into a tree whilst drunk and without a driving licence in Breitenbach in February. The court imposed a mild sentence of 480 euros, half of it suspended.
Trial in Innsbruck: alcohol, no driving licence and a destroyed wreck
Google News AT — Crime (de) reports on the trial against a 20-year-old Tyrolean who, in February, drove whilst drunk and without a driving licence into a tree with his car in Breitenbach am Inn. Two friends were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Given the images from the scene of the accident, the outcome for all three occupants was fortunate: all escaped with comparatively minor injuries. Nonetheless, legal consequences followed.
Injuries in focus of proceedings
In the first trial in May, the question of how serious the injuries to the passengers actually were took centre stage. The prosecution initially assumed that a cervical spine fracture, multiple contusions and a blood collection between the scalp and skull bone in one of the passengers should be classified as serious bodily harm — caused by the crash.
Further investigations, however, revealed that a previous skiing accident had also contributed to these injuries. This worked in the defendant's favour. The second passenger had sustained only a thumb contusion in the completely destroyed vehicle and was thus legally considered only slightly injured.
Diversion rejected — yet sentence remains mild
The defence's application for diversion was rejected by the judge. "That is not possible, if only for general preventive reasons," he explained his decision. The judgment ultimately delivered was nevertheless mild: the 20-year-old was sentenced to a fine of 480 euros, half of which was suspended.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)