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Young driver ends up in the river after a chase - alcohol involved!
An 18-year-old fled from the police in Barnstorf, landed his car in the River Hunte and was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Young driver ends up in the river after a chase - alcohol involved!
On October 30, 2025, a dangerous incident occurred in Barnstorf, Diepholz district, when an 18-year-old driver crashed into the Hunte during a police chase. The young man had ignored a police stop signal and decided to turn off his vehicle's lights and accelerate quickly. This risky action ultimately led to the car going off the road just before a bridge and ending up in the river. Fortunately, the driver and two passengers, 17 and 18 years old, were able to swim to shore as the water depth was relatively shallow at this point.
The fire brigade was quickly on the scene and recovered the vehicle with an inflatable boat. The car was not completely submerged, but it was a total loss. All three occupants were in shock and were treated by emergency services at the scene before being taken to hospital. A blood test revealed that the driver was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs. Small amounts of drugs were also found in the vehicle. As a result, the driver had to surrender his license, which was probably the least of his worries given the situation.
Alcohol and drugs on the roads
This incident once again highlights the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which remain a major cause of road accidents. According to the Bavarian traffic police Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are particularly often involved in risky situations. In 2020, there were over 4,400 accidents across Bavaria due to alcohol and around 560 due to drugs.
In order to increase safety on the roads, traffic guards are committed to education and prevention. The educational measures include not only lectures, but also experiential events that raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption and drug use. Distracted driving, whether through cell phone use or conversations, is also a growing problem and in many cases contributes to the risk of accidents.
The accident in Barnstorf could not only represent a personal tragedy for those affected, but also serves as a clear reminder to all road users to take the dangers of road traffic seriously and to act responsibly. Hopefully these incidents will help raise awareness about road safety.