Drunk Foreign National Crashes Car into Riga Gas Station

A foreign national, reportedly intoxicated, crashed a Mercedes-Benz into a Circle K gas station on Pērnavas Street in Riga early on August 12, 2026. The vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz CLS 320, was traveling at high speed down Aleksandra Čaka Street before the incident. Witnesses heard tires screeching and a loud bang, followed by the sight of the car crossing a bike lane, sidewalk, and green strip, breaking signs and a flagpole.

The car came to a stop within the Circle K premises, partially on the green strip. Despite the crash, the driver appeared to attempt to continue driving, with the wheels spinning but struggling to move due to the debris caught in them. The vehicle moved a few more meters before stopping again near the gas station.

When State Police and firefighters arrived, a young man from the crashed car initially told them in English that he was a passenger and his friend, who was driving, had fled. He identified himself as being from India, studying and working in Latvia, and stated that the driver was also from India. Both reportedly consumed alcohol before the accident. The damaged car, however, belonged to a friend.

Unofficial reports indicate the apprehended man had alcohol in his breath, but his identity was initially unclear. He did not resist arrest but vomited in the police car and was taken to the hospital by emergency medical services. The gas station's operations were not significantly disrupted, though entry to the premises was hindered.