A 37-year-old German died in a serious accident on the A67 in September 2021. His two cousins were seriously injured. The car that hit them was empty when police arrived. But according to justice, the fast Mercedes was driven by Metchel S. (25) from Helmond. He was sentenced to four years in prison in the court in Maastricht on Monday. Justice also believes that he should not be allowed to drive for five years.
The facts are rock solid: The AMG-tuned Mercedes drove from Eindhoven to Venlo at dizzying speed that Friday night of September 25 to 26. Over the last ten kilometers before the accident, the car drove an average of 243 kilometers per hour. With peaks up to 280. When the Opel Omega with the three Germans overtook a truck near Maasbree, things went wrong.
The driver of the Mercedes accelerated, according to the data from the black box. He only slowed down half a second before he rammed the Opel from behind. The Opel then hit the truck and the guardrails and caught fire. The 37-year-old man from Mönchengladbach who was sitting in the back became trapped and died. The rear wheels of the Opel were against the front seats due to the impact.
The occupants of the Mercedes fled immediately after the accident and despite the use of a helicopter and sniffer dogs, they were not found.
Right to remain silent
The discussion in court focused on who exactly was behind the wheel of the Mercedes. Research shows that the car was registered to a certain KG, who stated that he had lent it to a certain BN. However, DNA research shows that Helmonder Metchel S. would have been behind the wheel and KG next to it. BN took the blame for the accident, but there is nothing to indicate that he was actually in the car.
Metchel S. had decided not to say anything in court. He denies that he was involved in the accident, but did not want to explain anything. He was asked questions again and again, but each time he invoked his right to remain silent.
No compassion whatsoever
The judges called that bad and painful, but could not force him to say anything. The public prosecutor was also annoyed by the suspect’s attitude and felt bad that he did not show any compassion for the relatives. S. was not impressed and remained silent.
According to the officer, S. and his friend KG left the victims in a helpless condition. It is no longer possible to determine whether they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs after their night out. A nitrous oxide cylinder was found in the ditch near their car, but it is not clear whether they used it.
Never the same again
The two cousins of the fatal victim were seriously injured in the accident. More than two years after the accident, they still suffer from their injuries and fear that they will never be completely the same again.
The officer thought that Metchel S. had driven so recklessly that there was almost intent. According to him, these are speeds that belong on a circuit and certainly not on public roads. He therefore demanded a prison sentence of four years and a driving ban of five years.
Driver’s license back
Due to an error by the Public Prosecution Service, Metchel had his driver’s license back after just six months. And the judge thought that was strange. But according to S.’s lawyer, this could also mean that his client does not deserve that much punishment at all.
According to the lawyer, Metchel S. should be acquitted of everything. No one saw him there and his phone was not traced there either. The lawyer only thinks the DNA trace is too thin. In the file, the lawyer found indications that the police had taken the DNA samples very carelessly and had mixed up the driver and passenger.
The verdict is on October 30. After the verdict, the public prosecutor’s office will consider whether the co-driver should also appear in court for leaving the victims in a helpless state.