Proceedings discontinued

Fine instead of trial after accident in a pub garden

A man from Mühlviertel (79) drove his electric car into a group of women in a pub garden in Bad Leonfelden in Upper Austria. The trio had to be treated in hospital, some of them seriously injured. However, the investigation by the Linz judiciary has now been closed in this case and only a fine had to be paid.

September 26 was a sunny autumn day on which the tables in the pub garden in front of "Peters Café Bar" in Bad Leonfelden were well frequented. A group of women had also taken a seat and were chatting animatedly.

Just a few meters away from them, a 79-year-old man parked his electric car in the direction of the Schanigartens to let his wife get out while she ran errands. He himself remained in the car.

Seriously injured women
After a few minutes, however, the car suddenly drove forward at high speed and rammed into three women sitting at a table. The trio (84, 60, 35) were seriously injured and had to be transported to hospital. The driver of the car involved in the accident was uninjured - he was accused of failing to exercise due care when starting his car.

Offer accepted
However, the man denied this and was unable to explain the incident. The driver had not been drinking alcohol, nor could he be proven to have been grossly negligent. He was offered a diversion (1140 euro fine), which he accepted. Conclusion: The investigation has now been closed.