Driver of Minibus Remains in Custody Following Fatal Accident on A2

The driver involved in a tragic accident on the A2 motorway near Scheiblingkirchen, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals, has been placed in pre-trial detention. The detention is set to last until April 17, with authorities citing concerns over potential flight risk and the possibility of tampering with evidence. The 52-year-old Ukrainian national is currently under investigation for negligent homicide and bodily injury.

Additionally, the 43-year-old driver of the semi-truck involved in the incident is also suspected of negligent homicide, although he has not been taken into custody and remains free, according to officials from the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor's office. Investigators are analyzing the truck's tachograph to gather more insights regarding the incident.

The accident occurred on Tuesday morning at approximately 6:20 AM, when the minibus, carrying eight Ukrainian nationals, collided with a semi-truck registered in Spain. The impact claimed the lives of four female passengers aged 53, 54, 61, and 64. The minibus driver and three other women sustained serious injuries, while the truck driver and passenger suffered minor injuries. Emergency medical services transported the injured individuals to hospitals in Wiener Neustadt, Vienna, and Eisenstadt, with three air ambulances deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the truck driver maneuvered his vehicle onto the first lane from the Gleißenfeld rest area in the direction of Vienna. He claimed that he did not impede the flow of traffic. However, the minibus subsequently crashed into the rear of the truck.