Oldenburg Regional Court: Six years in prison for mother who drove children into a tree

A German court has sentenced a 39-year-old mother to six years in prison for intentionally crashing her car with her two young children inside into a tree. The Oldenburg Regional Court found her guilty of attempted manslaughter and dangerous bodily harm. In addition to the prison sentence, she has been banned from driving for a minimum of four years.

The incident occurred in February 2026 in Lohne, Vechta district. According to the court's findings, the mother drove her car at approximately 70 kilometers per hour into a tree. Her eight-year-old daughter required emergency surgery, while her ten-year-old son and the defendant herself sustained bone fractures.

The accused admitted to the act in court but claimed to have no clear memory of the events. The court concluded that the woman was struggling to cope with a separation from her partner and intended to punish him with her actions. It was also noted that she was experiencing psychological problems at the time, which led the court to consider her to have diminished culpability.

The verdict is not yet legally binding.