Teenagers Injured After Police Chase in Stolen Car Across German Towns

A police chase involving three teenagers in stolen vehicles across North Rhine-Westphalia ended with two of the youths seriously injured and hospitalized. The incident began Saturday afternoon when police spotted the car on the A46 autobahn near Erkrath, in the Mettmann district.

Officers initiated a pursuit after the driver exhibited evasive behavior upon seeing the patrol car. The driver exited the autobahn and continued fleeing through Haan, also in the Mettmann district, reportedly causing multiple accidents before colliding with a parked car. The three occupants then fled on foot but were apprehended by officers shortly after.

According to police, the occupants were a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds. The 16-year-old and one of the 17-year-olds were taken to the hospital with severe injuries. The other 17-year-old, believed to be the driver, was unharmed. Police stated that the three teenagers have prior records, and the suspected driver is considered a repeat juvenile offender.

Authorities are still investigating how the youths gained access to the car, which had been reported stolen. Prior to the chase in Haan, the vehicle was reportedly involved in two other police pursuits earlier on Saturday, one in Düsseldorf and another in Leverkusen. Investigations into these earlier incidents are ongoing.