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800 Mourn Wanda Perdelwitz at Hamburg Vigil as Police Probe Passenger in Dooring Death

Police are examining whether a 28-year-old US passenger failed to check for cyclists before opening a van door.

Overview

  • About 800 people gathered at the Rotherbaum crash site for an ADFC-organized vigil, where a white Ghostbike was installed and flowers and candles were placed.
  • Hamburg police are investigating the van’s passenger on suspicion of negligent homicide; media report he is a 28-year-old US citizen residing in Austria who was visiting Hamburg.
  • Perdelwitz collided with a suddenly opened passenger door on a marked bike lane on September 28, suffered severe head injuries, and died in hospital on October 6.
  • A traffic law expert notes §222 StGB allows for up to five years in prison for negligent homicide, though comparable cases often result in fines.
  • Police said Perdelwitz was not wearing a helmet; cycling advocates cite a rise in dooring incidents and call for protected bike infrastructure, as Hamburg counts 11 cycling deaths this year.