Three-and-a-Half Year Prison Sentence for High-Speed Police Chase in Vienna

A 33-year-old motorist with a history of reckless driving has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison following a high-speed pursuit through Vienna that resulted in a collision and a confrontation with law enforcement. The incident, which took place in September 2024, began when officers identified the driver during a routine patrol. He was wanted for outstanding administrative fines totaling EUR33,000.

Upon noticing police signaling him to stop, the man accelerated and attempted to evade authorities. He was accompanied by his partner and their four-month-old child. During the pursuit, the driver entered a one-way street against traffic in the Leopoldstadt district and lost control of his vehicle due to excessive speed, striking another car. The impacted driver sustained a whiplash injury and bruising to the left shoulder.

Despite the crash, the driver continued his attempt to escape. As a police officer confronted him with a service weapon, the motorist drove toward the officer at approximately 13 km/h. The officer managed to avoid being hit, though the car's side mirror brushed his right arm. The chase concluded when the suspect lost control, crashing into a construction site barrier where the vehicle became immobilized between a fence and a concrete pillar.

Authorities reported that the driver still did not comply with officers' instructions. It was only after police discharged four rounds into the car's tires that he ceased his attempts to flee. The man's partner and child exited the car unharmed, while the suspect was forcibly removed from the vehicle and subsequently detained.

During the trial, the defendant explained his actions as an effort to avoid incarceration, citing fear of imprisonment due to unpaid fines and concern for his family's wellbeing. He expressed regret for his conduct and denied any intention to harm law enforcement officers.

The court ultimately convicted the individual of attempted aggravated bodily harm, endangerment of physical safety, and resisting state authority. Initial charges of attempted murder were withdrawn by prosecutors after a review of the evidence. Both the defense and prosecution accepted the court's decision, making the sentence legally binding.