The Public Prosecution Service (OM) in Northern Netherlands today demanded a prison sentence of two years, of which six months conditionally, and a four-year driving ban against a 43-year-old man from the municipality of Westerkwartier. He is suspected of causing a fatal accident in Oldehove on December 31, 2023, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Additionally, he left the scene of the accident.
In the accident on Boventilsterweg, two young men aged 21 and 18 from Oldehove lost their lives on New Years Eve 2023. A 19-year-old local resident was seriously injured. The three victims were hit while they were moving a party tent.
Crossing
According to several witnesses, a milk truck passed by shortly before the accident where the party tent had to be crossed. The people wanting to cross waited for that milk truck and then looked again to see if it was safe to cross the road. According to all witnesses, it seemed to be the case. Almost all present declare that the car with the suspect came driving out of nowhere; no one had seen this car, and no one heard the car brake.
Speed and substance use
Many witnesses state that the car was driving too fast. Due to a lack of traces and the fact that the car drove away after the accident, the speed could not be measured.
The suspect was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Although he claims that he smoked a joint the day before and had a strong beer after the accident, the measured amounts of alcohol and drugs in his body were still above the legally permitted limit.
Reconstruction
In the investigation into the circumstances of the accident, a reconstruction took place. The purpose of this is to assess whether the suspect could have seen the boys with the party tent, as it began to get dark around the time of the accident. The public prosecutor concludes after the reconstruction that the suspect should have seen the boys and the tent. “At a speed of 60 km per hour and even at a speed of 80 km per hour, he could have stopped his vehicle on time if he had acted.”
Moreover, the suspect was familiar with the situation. Earlier that afternoon, he had already passed the location. According to the public prosecutor, he could have seen that carbide was being fired at the location, that there was a party tent, and that people were walking. “Such a situation requires, when driving by again, an extra form of attentiveness.”
Grief
Families are still in mourning to this day and long after today. Although the suspect did not want this, the accident and its tragic consequences are attributed to him. The public prosecutor places great weight on the fact that he also left the scene of the accident afterward. “He did not care about the fate of dying and seriously injured people. Additionally, conducting further investigation was also more difficult. Had he stayed, we would have had quicker clarity regarding substance use. Now, there remains doubt.”
The court in Groningen will rule on this case in two weeks.