Five years in prison for driver after motorway chase and police gunfire
A young couple who led police on a high-speed chase through Luxembourg City and drove the wrong way on motorway A4 has been sentenced to prison. The officer who fired 14 shots has been acquitted.
Five years in prison for driver after motorway chase and police gunfire
A court has sentenced a young man to five years in prison and his partner to three years following a dangerous chase through Luxembourg City and on motorway A4 in November 2019.
The incident began at around 20:30 when a white Mercedes A-Class was spotted at a motorway service area. Shortly after, speed cameras recorded the vehicle travelling at 156 km/h in roadworks where the limit was 70 km/h.
Police then saw the car run a red light in the capital and attempted to intercept it. Instead of complying, the 19-year-old driver accelerated to flee. He reached speeds exceeding 100 km/h in zones limited to 30 km/h, whilst his 18-year-old passenger threw glass bottles out of the window to obstruct the police officers pursuing them.
The pair forced through two police roadblocks. When the Mercedes entered the Bouillon car park, the driver took motorway A4 in the wrong direction heading south. Officers set up a blockade between Leudelange and Pontpierre, but the driver reversed and drove towards the town again.
At this point, several officers were attempting to stop the vehicle. One positioned himself in front of the Mercedes with his service weapon drawn; the driver did not stop and struck the officer, who managed to step aside but was injured. A second officer stationed near the crash barriers was also targeted. The driver narrowly avoided impact, but the officer opened fire, discharging 14 of his 15 rounds. Eleven bullets hit the car, two penetrating the interior, and the driver was wounded in the leg.
Despite this injury, the couple switched places and the woman took the wheel. The vehicle, severely damaged, was quickly immobilised and both were arrested. Neither possessed a valid driving licence, and the man tested positive for cannabis.
Neither of the accused appeared at trial last month, and both refused to be represented by a lawyer. They faced charges of resisting police and numerous road code violations. The prosecution had sought six and four years respectively; the court imposed five and three years. Each must also pay approximately 18,000 euros in court costs and compensate the injured officer.
The officer who discharged his weapon, Garry F., was acquitted of unauthorised use of a firearm. The prosecution itself had requested this acquittal during the proceedings.
The judgment remains subject to appeal within 40 days. The presumption of innocence continues to apply until a final decision is rendered.
Source: Luxembourg Times
Source: Luxembourg Times