Accident in Bergheim: Driver flees into the Erft after a breakdown!

Accident in Bergheim: Driver flees into the Erft after a breakdown!

On Monday evening, July 14, 2025, a spectacular car accident occurred in Bergheim-Ahe when a Renault crashed into the Erft. According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place around 8:15 p.m. on the “In den Benden” road in the direction of Ahe. The driver, who can be described as around 30 to 35 years old, is said to have fled after the accident. The description of the man is precise: around 165 to 170 cm tall, corpulent, with black hair, dressed in a white top and dark trousers and dark reading glasses. The police have now initiated and documented initial investigations.

A witness reported a loud bang, followed by the sight of the Renault lying on its side in the Erft. She had previously spoken to the driver briefly, but after a short conversation he headed towards the Schwarzwasser elementary school. According to the initial investigation results, no other people got out of the vehicle. The police are hoping for information from the public and can be reached at 02271 81-0 or at the email address poststelle.rhein-erft-kreis@polizei.nrw.de. A transport company was commissioned to pull the car out of the water and then tow it away, as lokalklick.eu reports.

Traffic accidents caused by alcohol?

In this context, attention is drawn to an alarming development in traffic accidents in Germany. According to a report by goslar-institut.de, the number of accidents caused under the influence of alcohol rose to 38,771 in 2022 - an increase of 19% compared to the previous year. This raises questions as to whether alcohol was also involved in Bergheim. The legal limit for alcohol is 0.5 per mille, with an absolute ban on alcohol for novice drivers and people under 21 years of age. Either way: The police could also come across this issue when investigating.

The consequences that can result from an accident under the influence of alcohol are serious. If the alcohol level is over 1.1 per mille, the driver is considered completely unfit to drive. In the event of an accident, not only do legal problems arise; the insurance company can also refuse or reduce benefits in the event of a claim. Affected drivers can be hit hard by these regulations, especially when it comes to financing damages.

Previous unpleasant incidents

Another incident in the region sheds additional light on the situation. On May 22, 2024, a 24-year-old driver fled after an accident in which he crashed into a tree. He stated that he did not need medical attention, but when he was arrested, officers wanted to know whether alcohol was involved. A preliminary test showed over 1 per mille. This negligence is not only risky for the driver himself, but also for other road users, as last Monday's incident shows. presseportal.de also reports on an arrestee with arrest warrants, which makes the dangers of drunk driving even clearer.

These events in Bergheim-Ahe shed light on the complexity of road safety and the associated challenges. The police in the region are faced with the task of clarifying the background to these incidents and ensuring that such accidents are avoided in the future.