Man arrested after ramming 20 vehicles on Belgian highway; mental disorder probed

Belgian authorities have arrested a 40-year-old Polish man in connection with a shocking incident on the E34 highway between Antwerp and Maldegem, where he allegedly drove into at least 20 vehicles and a motorcyclist. The man was apprehended by federal road police near Maldegem on Monday evening.

The prosecutor's office is now investigating the possibility that a mental disorder may have contributed to the driver's actions. According to prosecutors, the man used his van to repeatedly ram other vehicles, causing extensive damage and multiple injuries. Following his arrest, he registered a positive alcohol test, though a drug test came back negative.

He appeared before an investigating judge today, who ordered his detention. The suspect faces charges for obstructing traffic through actions that endangered road infrastructure and equipment, as well as for allegedly carrying objects with the intent to threaten or cause physical harm. The exact circumstances and motives behind the driver's actions remain under investigation, with no further details immediately released by the prosecutor's office.

The incident has raised serious concerns about road safety and the potential factors influencing such dangerous behavior. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the sequence of events and determine the full extent of the driver's responsibility and any underlying conditions.