Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 28-year-old motorist in Mechelen crashed into a ditch when police pursued him while he was driving fast to escape. The police wanted to pull him over because he had made sudden driving moves, which was attributed to excessive speed. Police inspection showed he lost his driving license 10 days before.
A 28-year-old Mechelen driver tried to avoid police during a high-speed pursuit while crashing into a canal. A police chase occurred on the transition from January 24 to January 25, 2025, which was initiated after the driver performed unexpected driving movements and exceeded posted speed limits. Despite having his license revoked 10 days earlier, he attempted to flee before police caught up with him during the pursuit.
After stopping traffic at Leuvensesteenweg, the driver encountered police who requested that he stop while moving above 110 kilometres per hour. Despite the flashing police lights and sirens he received for pulling over, the driver continued to speed away. Driving near the E19 entrance to the Mechelen-Zuid roundabout became dangerous when the driver lost his vehicle’s control, causing him to hit a ditch by the hook. The driver tried to run away, but the police detained him in Brusselsesteenweg soon after. It was later discovered that his driver’s license had been revoked by the Leuven public prosecutor’s office for 15 days, approximately 10 days before the incident.
Similar accidents in Mechelen in past
In the past year, Mechelen has experienced several notable traffic incidents:
- Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident: A woman died in a car accident while riding an electric scooter through Mechelen on December 27, 2024, at age 18. A driver who exceeded posted speed laws exited the location following the crash, but police were able to recognise him through surveillance recordings. Before authorities could capture him, the driver committed suicide.
- Collision Involving Moped and Cyclists: A moped struck two cyclists while travelling through Mechelen on October 14, 2024. Multiple minor injuries affected a 17-year-old male along with a 41-year-old male and a 65-year-old woman. Federal investigators are examining the root cause of this accident.
The local government maintains active enforcement of traffic laws and distributes education about these traffic problems in an attempt to improve community safety.
