One and a half years after a fatal trip between two young men on manipulated motorcycles and at excessive speed, the Bielefeld regional court has handed down a verdict: The now 24-year-old defendant, who hit and killed a resident in Hiddenhausen, will receive a two-year suspended sentence for negligent homicide .
The 24-year-old was seriously injured in the accident and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since, which the court viewed as a mitigating circumstance.
The second driver, who is now 20 years old and was not directly involved in the accident, was sentenced under juvenile criminal law. He has to complete a traffic education course and pay 3,600 euros in installments to the traffic police.
“Terrifying recklessness”
The court explained in its verdict that the two men’s motorcycle tour on March 8, 2022 was characterized by “appalling recklessness.” However, it was not possible to establish an agreed race between the two men, said presiding judge Verena Willeke. “Their goal was driving fun.”
It also remained unclear why the 58-year-old resident suddenly ran into the street, the court said. There may be a “certain complicity” on the part of the man.
The 24-year-old motorcyclist was about to overtake when the man appeared in front of him. He saw him too late. The 24-year-old hit the pedestrian at high speed: According to the report, the impact speed was 72 kilometers per hour. In addition, the 24-year-old did not have a driver’s license, which also had an impact on the sentence. On the other hand, he has been permanently dependent on care since the accident. The trial could therefore only last two hours at a time.
