A 14-year-old girl is hit by a truck on December 19, 2024, on the Stevensbeekseweg in Sint Anthonis. She dies at the scene from her injuries. The 41-year-old woman from Nijmegen who caused the accident was on trial today. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) demands a prison sentence of 24 months, a driving ban of five years, and treatment with conditions.
It is around 8:00 AM, rush hour, when the fatal traffic accident occurs. The driver of the garbage truck initially drives away after the accident but returns to the scene of the accident on the polices instructions through her employer. There, the 41-year-old woman from Nijmegen is subsequently arrested.
Amphetamine
Blood tests show that the woman was under the influence of amphetamine. It also turns out that there has been problematic amphetamine use in the past. According to the OM, the driver failed to pay sufficient attention to other traffic while driving the truck. The girl should have been visible to the suspect for 320 meters before the intersection. While turning right and leaving the intersection, she did not pay enough attention. All evidence, including forensic research and witness statements, supports this account. What is particularly serious and painful for the OM is that the suspect did not stop to offer help after the fatal accident but drove off and continued working.
Suffering and sadness
According to the OM, the seriousness of this case is undeniable. The public prosecutor: In 2024, road traffic claimed the lives of 246 cyclists. This girl was one of them. Unbeknownst to her, she was waiting nicely at a busy intersection near her home. Moments later, she was gone. A young life, a life full of plans, a life full of dreams, a life that was brutally cut short by the actions of the suspect. This fatal accident should never have happened if the suspect had acted as expected of a road user. The public prosecutor further emphasizes: No just punishment will ever alleviate that suffering and sadness in any way.
Prison sentence, driving ban, and treatment
The OM believes that the woman will make mistakes again without the right psychological help. The past has shown that as well. Several times she drove under the influence, was fined for traffic violations, and despite a previous driving ban, she still got behind the wheel. In addition to a prison sentence of 24 months and a driving ban of 5 years, treatment with conditions is therefore appropriate. The judge will rule in two weeks.