Vienna: Teenager Allegedly Steals Car During Test Drive, Severely Injures Pedestrian

A 17-year-old is accused of stealing a car during a test drive in Vienna and then hitting a 21-year-old man with the vehicle, leaving him seriously injured. The incident occurred Saturday evening.

The teenager, who does not possess a driver's license, reportedly contacted the 23-year-old car owner through the online platform Willhaben to arrange a test drive. During the drive, the 17-year-old allegedly asked the owner to exit the car and assist with parking. Once the owner was out, the teenager accelerated and drove away with the vehicle.

According to police, the 23-year-old owner managed to track the stolen car and alerted acquaintances. When they located the vehicle, a 21-year-old attempted to signal the driver to stop. Instead, the 17-year-old allegedly continued driving, striking the man. The victim was thrown against the windshield and landed on the hood before being thrown to the ground by a sudden braking maneuver, police spokesperson Anna Gutt reported.

The 21-year-old sustained extensive bruising, head injuries, and fractures. The 17-year-old fled the scene but was later contacted by police, who convinced him to turn himself in. He arrived at the police station via subway. The investigation has been taken over by the Vienna State Criminal Police Office. The suspect, who is housed in a supervised facility, has prior offenses.