Accident driver sentenced at “Street Mag Show”

Hanover. He obviously wanted to show everyone what his Ford Mustang was capable of: With the handbrake on, the man spun the tires in the middle of the Schützenplatz, a so-called burnout. But the driver lost control and crashed into a group of people. Five people were injured, some seriously, in the accident during the Street Mag Show in summer 2023. The Hanover District Court has now passed a verdict.

Nine months without a driving license

The district court sentenced the 58-year-old to a fine of 3,600 euros for “negligently endangering road traffic in conjunction with negligent bodily harm”. The court also imposed a nine-month driving ban. The verdict is final, a court spokesperson said.

After the accident at the car show, it turned out that the driver was drunk. He had a blood alcohol level of at least 0.47 per mille, the court said, and he also had slurred speech, was slightly sleepy and had problems with his balance. “The driver lost control of his vehicle due to his intoxication,” the court ruled.

Woman was in mortal danger

Three women and two men were injured in the accident in July 2023. They suffered bruises, broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. A 32-year-old was briefly in critical condition.

The Street Mag Show, which travels through various cities, features classic cars, such as American road cruisers from the 1950s. Owners of such vehicles can present their vintage cars on a stage to the audience and a jury. The 58-year-old man who caused the accident also presented his Mustang. Eyewitnesses reported that the car then drove off the stage, and shortly afterwards the driver spun the tires and lost control of the vehicle.

Such show-off behavior is actually forbidden at the Street Mag Show for private drivers who are simply presenting their cars. There are clear safety regulations for car owners at the festival, said organizer Anna Kuczora after the accident. For example, only walking speed is allowed on the grounds. Exceptions are only made for professional drivers who have to be booked specifically for demonstrations. The 58-year-old was not one of them.

HAZ