The 31-year-old man from Halsteren who caused seven collisions on the E19 highway in Belgium last week has been forcibly admitted to a psychiatric institution. This was reported by a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office in Belgium. “This was decided because the man suffers from various mental problems.” The man had stolen a pizza delivery person’s car in Etten-Leur. The question remains whether he can ever be prosecuted.
He had been known to the police in Brabant for some time for his confused behavior. He was also said to have recently been evicted from his home.
As a result of the decision of the judiciary in Belgium, the man will avoid punishment for the time being. Damages cannot be recovered from him through the criminal court. This is a setback for Ahmed Ibrahim, the owner of pizzeria Toscana in Etten-Leur, among others.
“I really feel like a victim.”
“The company where I lease the car has already informed me that the car has been declared a total loss and that the damage will be recovered from me,” says the upset Ibrahim. “Also because the delivery person had left the key to the car in the ignition when the thief made off with it. I really feel like a victim.”
The car was stolen on Saturday evening around ten o’clock. An employee of Toscana was delivering an order when the man from Halsteren fled with the car.
After stealing the car, he drove it to Belgium. He caused seven collisions on the E19 highway in the direction of Antwerp. A lot of material damage was caused. Some passengers were slightly injured. The man himself was seriously injured. He was arrested after he rammed another car near Brasschaat.
According to the spokesperson for justice in Belgium, victims can at most try to have the thief pay the costs through the civil court. This also applies to the people who were in the cars that were deliberately hit by the pizza truck. And especially for Ibrahim, who feels embarrassed by the psychiatric patient’s actions.
“Luckily I can rely on friends.”
“I had three cars, one of them has now fallen away and I really don’t have enough of it. Fortunately, I can ask friends for help, but I don’t want to do that too often,” says Ibrahim. “I’m not looking forward to this at all.”
Maybe someone can start a crowdfunding campaign? “That would be a good idea, but I remain disappointed in that thief. And the attitude of the leasing company also shocks me. This is very annoying, hopefully my insurance can enforce compensation through the civil courts.”
The thief caused a lot of material damage with his crazy ride:
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Highway havoc: pizza truck thief turns out to be a scammer and known to the police