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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช Belgium /Crime & Justice

Minor driver gets 50-hour community service for hit-and-run

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A minor driver who caused a traffic accident in Groot-Bijgaarden and fled the scene received a 50-hour community service sentence.
  • The vehicle belonged to his aunt's company, which was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
  • The minor, who did not have a license, also received a 40-day driving ban.

A teenage driver who caused a collision in Groot-Bijgaarden and fled without reporting it has been sentenced to 50 hours of community service. The incident occurred last November when the minor, driving his aunt's van, collided with a truck and continued on his way without ensuring proper procedures were followed.

The investigation revealed the young driver lacked a license and the vehicle was uninsured. The company owned by his aunt, which owned the van, also faced court, accused of entrusting the vehicle to an unlicensed individual.

However, the defense argued the van belonged to a home care business managed by the aunt, who was abroad at the time. Her nephew took the keys without her knowledge. The teenager admitted to fleeing the scene out of fear due to his lack of a license and not having permission to use the van.

He is currently working towards obtaining his license. The court sentenced him to 50 hours of community service, convertible to a 2,000 euro fine if not completed, and imposed a 40-day driving ban. His father was held civilly liable for damages and costs, as the driver was a minor at the time of the offense. The aunt's company was acquitted.

Ik had schrik omdat ik geen rijbewijs had en daarom ben ik verder gereden. Ik had geen toestemming van mijn tante om haar wagen te nemen

โ€” De tienerThe teenager admitted to fleeing the scene and explained his reasons to the court.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.