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Serious truck accident on the A44: traffic chaos between Soest and Werl!
Truck accident on the A44 near Soest on January 20, 2026 blocks the road. Rescue work is underway, traffic jams expected.
Serious truck accident on the A44: traffic chaos between Soest and Werl!
On Tuesday afternoon 20th January 2026 there was a terrible accident on the A44 which significantly affected the traffic situation in the area. An Italian truck crashed into the central barrier after a car in front of it braked abruptly. This vehicle simply continued on its way while the truck tipped over on its side and blocked the road towards Kassel. A following Hungarian transporter was unable to brake in time and collided with the overturned truck. The driver of the transporter sustained minor injuries in the incident, while the fleeing car could no longer be found, as WDR reports.
The consequences were not only dramatic for those directly involved, but also for all traffic on the A44. The police announced that the motorway between Werl-Süd and Soest in the direction of Kassel was completely closed, while traffic in the opposite direction was slow. The two free lanes in the opposite direction also had to be closed sporadically for rescue work. Traffic jams of up to several kilometers formed in both directions and the traffic authorities redirected traffic at the Werl-Süd exit. Despite these measures, the police officers were hopeful that the route could be reopened late in the evening of the same day, as Ruhr24 reported.
The background to the accident
Unfortunately, traffic accidents like this are not uncommon on German roads. Statistics show that 224 people lost their lives on highways alone in 2021, which can be attributed to the recurring errors in the driving behavior of road users. According to reports from the Federal Statistical Office, around 88% of accidents result from incorrect driving behavior, while other causes, such as technical defects or pedestrian misconduct, are much less common. Such incidents are not uncommon on the A44, and this year the number of road accidents could potentially rise further as traffic density increases and many drivers drive distracted or aggressively, which only further increases the risk of accidents, according to Gefahrstellen.de.
In the current case, the police are still looking for the braked car that could be responsible for the accident. The driver and vehicle are currently unknown and the investigation is ongoing. Such situations make it clear that every road user should bear responsibility and pay attention not only to their own safety, but also to that of others. Finally, good to know – even the smallest decisions on the road can have major consequences and cost lives.
The rescue work on the A44 is demanding and required precise coordination in order to get traffic running smoothly again as quickly as possible. Even though the evening has already progressed, the police remain optimistic that everything will soon be back on track.