Overview
- The string of weekend crashes has left multiple people dead and many injured, with at least three women killed in a frontal collision on the B470 near Dietersheim and additional fatalities reported in Fulda, Neuwied, Rastatt and Aschach an der Donau.
- In the Dietersheim crash a 36-year-old Mercedes driver survived with serious injuries and a preliminary breath test showed more than 1.0‰ alcohol while the three Opel passengers, aged 73 and 69, died; the public prosecutor ordered an external expert to examine the scene.
- Near Fulda a 78-year-old man died after his Mercedes left the road, struck a tree and caught fire; police say a medical emergency is suspected and they have seized the car and ordered a blood test and expert analysis.
- A motorcycle and a truck collided near Vettelschoß (Neuwied), killing a 38-year-old rider and his 33-year-old passenger at the scene with investigators citing a likely turning error by the truck driver, and a separate A52 pileup in Marl injured nine people including a baby.
- Rescue teams used helicopters, fire crews and ambulances to clear scenes and re-open roads, and investigators warn that pending toxicology and reconstruction results will be needed to confirm causes and guide any criminal proceedings.