Winterthur court trial addresses fatal 2023 car accident

A 30-year-old Kosovar man is facing trial at the Winterthur District Court for negligent homicide following a fatal car accident in July 2023. The defendant is accused of driving under the influence and speeding in Elgg, Switzerland.

According to the indictment, the driver was traveling at least 88 km/h in an 80 km/h zone while consuming alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of at least 0.83 promille. While attempting a right turn near a railway crossing, the vehicle veered into the opposite lane, struck a guardrail, and flew into the air before crashing near the tracks.

The 27-year-old female passenger, a colleague of the driver, died at the scene. Investigators noted that neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The defendant, who resides in the Canton of St. Gallen, stated during the proceedings that he is undergoing trauma therapy.