Caregiver on Trial for Running Over Injured Pedestrian and Fleeing Scene in Switzerland
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A caregiver ran over a pedestrian lying injured on the road and fled the scene in Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
- The pedestrian suffered severe injuries requiring 16 surgeries after being hit by two cars.
- The caregiver faces charges of negligent bodily harm and hit-and-run, with the prosecutor seeking a 24-month suspended prison sentence.
A 63-year-old caregiver is on trial for allegedly running over and fleeing a young woman who was already injured on the road in Schwerzenbach. The incident occurred on a dark, rainy Saturday morning in October 2023. The 24-year-old victim was first struck by another vehicle and thrown into the opposing lane, where she lay injured.
The prosecutor is seeking 24 months of conditional imprisonment for the woman, who has no prior convictions.
The caregiver, driving a second car, reportedly overtook a stationary vehicle with its hazard lights on. She then allegedly hit the woman, dragging her approximately three meters. After stopping briefly about 30 meters down the road, the caregiver fled the scene. She was identified and arrested two months later, spending two days in custody.
The accused consciously decided to overtake the stationary car despite the flashing hazard lights, swerved into the oncoming lane, and ran over the woman lying on the road at a speed of about 20.5 km/h.
Prosecutors argue the caregiver should have seen the victim, citing visibility of at least 50 meters. They contend her actions were particularly egregious given her profession, as she was trained to provide first aid. The prosecutor is seeking a 24-month suspended prison sentence for charges including negligent severe bodily harm and hit-and-run.
The lying woman on the road should have been clearly recognizable to the motorist. The visibility was at least 50 meters.
The defense is seeking acquittal, portraying the accused as a previously law-abiding individual whose life has been devastated by the incident. She has reportedly suffered two strokes and now lives on disability benefits, undergoing constant therapy. Her lawyer argues the case is tragic for her as well, emphasizing her prior good character.
The defense pleads for acquittal. The case is also tragic for the accused, who has always been a righteous and correct person and is now without a
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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