Car driven by 15-year-old rolls over near Wolfsberg – three injured taken to hospital

A 15-year-old was at the wheel of the car. Three people – including the teenage driver – were taken to Klagenfurt Hospital with injuries after the crash. Police initially released no information on the severity of the injuries or on the age and gender of the other occupants.

Accident sequence in Carinthia

Police have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances of the crash. Among other things, they are examining the conditions under which the 15-year-old was able to drive the vehicle. No further details were available as of Friday morning regarding the model of the car, any other parties involved, or potential witnesses.

Earlier on Thursday evening, there was another accident in the Wolfsberg area. A 19-year-old car driver also left the road on a sharp left-hand curve, and his vehicle rolled over multiple times into a grassy area. As a result, the Wolfsberg district recorded two serious single-vehicle accidents in one evening.

Second crash in Wolfsberg on the same evening

Across the Klagenfurt-Land district and the Wolfsberg region, reports of serious traffic accidents involving young drivers increase during the summer months. Authorities regularly point to the applicable driver-training regulations and to traffic enforcement measures.

Regardless of the specific circumstances, the incident raises questions about compliance with the legal minimum age for driving a car in Austria. In Austria, the minimum age for driving a car is generally 17 for accompanied driver training ("L17") and 18 for the standard Class B driving licence.

Legal background: minimum age at the wheel

Police announced that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash. This includes securing the vehicle, interviewing occupants and possible witnesses, and a potential vehicle inspection. Whether the teenager held a valid driving licence at the time of the accident is also part of the investigation.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or who can provide information about what happened to contact their nearest station. Anonymous tips will also be accepted.

Police appeal and information for witnesses

For relatives and occupants, the following applies: If injuries appear hours after a crash – such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness – medical help should be sought immediately. Witnesses to an accident can also contact their nearest police station.

Legal consequences for the 15-year-old driver and for any registered owners of the vehicle are the subject of the ongoing investigation. The presumption of innocence applies until the investigation is concluded.