Magistrates in Mechelen (Antwerp Province) have sentenced a motorist responsible for a fatal accident at the village of Koningshooikt (Antwerp Province) to two and a half years’ imprisonment. He was also issued with a 5-year driving ban and will have to use an alcohol lock, a device that first checks that a person has not been drinking alcohol before they can start their car, for the rest of his life.
Drunk driver that caused fatal accident sentenced to 30 months and given a 5-year driving ban
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The fatal accident happened on the night of 24 September 2022. The man was driving under the influence of alcohol when he drove around a roundabout on the Aarschotsesteenweg in Kooningshooikt. His vehicle was catapulted through the air and it landed on its roof on the car park of a horse riding school.
At the time of the accident the car was travelling at a speed of at least 120 km/h. Moreover, there were 6 people inside the car. They were a group of friends returning from a wedding. Two of them, a young couple, lost their lives. The driver of the car was breathalysed and found to be over the legal alcohol limit.
Unacceptable behaviour
The judge told the accused that “This is socially unacceptable behaviour. Unacceptable human suffering has been caused.”
The court said that the sentence is at least in part intended to make the accused realise how wrong the choices were that he made and to ensure that in future he respects the rules of the road. “The defendant grossly neglected his obligations”.
The man had promised his friends to take them home from the wedding and as their designated driver not to consume alcohol. However, one a the wedding he allowed himself to be persuaded to drink beer. This is despite his doctor having told him not to drink due to a medical condition.
Prison sentence, alcohol lock, driving ban and fine
Although the prosecution had sought an 18-month jail term, the court sentenced the driver to a 30-month jail term, half of which was suspended. This means that if the man were to re-offend within the next 5 years, he will have to serve the full period.
On top of this the judge issued a 5-year driving ban and ordered that the man be made to use an alcohol lock in any vehicle he drives for the rest of his life. The man was also fined 10,000 euros, part of which was also suspended.