40-year-old Polish man arrested after rampage on E34: 20 vehicles rammed
A 40-year-old Polish man remains in custody following the deliberate ramming of at least 20 vehicles on the E34. The public prosecutor's office is investigating a possible mental illness.
Investigating magistrate detains driver after collisions on E34
The investigating magistrate has detained a 40-year-old Polish man who deliberately rammed at least 20 vehicles and a motorcyclist on the E34 between Antwerp and Maldegem on Monday evening. This is reported by vrt.be.
Federal traffic police intervened near Maldegem, where the man was arrested. According to the public prosecutor's office, he used his van to repeatedly ram other road users. Multiple vehicles sustained serious damage and there were several injured persons.
Following his arrest, the man tested positive for alcohol. A saliva test for drugs was negative.
The man appeared before the investigating magistrate on Tuesday, who detained him on the basis of two charges. He is suspected of obstructing traffic through "actions constituting an attack on roads, structures or equipment." He is also accused of "carrying objects or substances not designed as weapons, with the apparent intention of threatening persons or causing bodily injury."
The East Flanders public prosecutor's office states that it is also investigating whether a mental illness underlies the offences. Regarding the precise circumstances and motives of the driver, the public prosecutor's office is not releasing any further details for the time being.
Source: Google News BE NL