24-year-old under the influence of cocaine flees from police in Vienna and rams patrol car

Course of the flight

According to police, the 24-year-old was stopped and arrested. A test conducted showed that the man was under the influence of cocaine. This raises the possibility that the driver not only fled but also began the drive under the influence of an addictive substance.

The specific circumstances of the flight, in particular how long the pursuit lasted and how high the speed was, are currently being investigated by the Vienna State Police Directorate. The exact position of the collision on the side lane is also part of the investigations.

Legal consequences

The suspect will be reported for several offenses: fleeing from the police, endangering physical safety, as well as an offense under the Narcotic Substances Act. Decisions on the amount of any penalties will only be made after the investigations are completed.

The injured police officers received medical treatment. The Vienna State Police Directorate confirmed the incident to several media outlets. Details about the health condition of the injured, such as whether hospital admissions were necessary, were not initially made public.

Under Austrian law, driving a vehicle under the influence of narcotic substances can be punished as an administrative offense or – in cases with severe consequences – as a judicially punishable act. Fleeing from the police can additionally be classified as an independent offense.

Investigations and outlook

The case is part of a series of incidents in which drivers in Vienna attempted to evade official action. Authorities have pointed out for years that the risk to uninvolved parties and emergency services is particularly high in such flights.

Representatives of the Vienna Police emphasized that stops serve to protect the general public and that stopping represents a mandatory participation in the constitutional state. A refusal significantly increases the risk for everyone involved.

As the police further announced, investigations into the exact course of the pursuit and the condition of the injured are ongoing. Should the suspicion of cocaine influence be confirmed, the responsible authorities will also involve a remedial agency in reviewing the man's fitness to drive.

The side lane on which the collision occurred was temporarily closed during the operation. The exact location is part of the ongoing investigations and is to be specified in a final report by the Vienna State Police Directorate after the investigations are completed.