Accident escapes are increasing: witnesses urgently wanted in Köthen and Zerbst!

Accident escapes are increasing: witnesses urgently wanted in Köthen and Zerbst!

The streets in and around Köthen have been the scene of several hit and run accidents in recent days, keeping the police on their toes. On July 1, 2025, around 9 p.m., an incident occurred on the train station square in which a 58-year-old Skoda driver hit a pedestrian while reversing. The pedestrian, described as an Asian phenotype with a trolley suitcase, sustained minor injuries and left the scene of the accident without leaving his personal details. The police are asking for information from witnesses who can help clarify the incident and can be reached at 03496/4260. Loud [Sachsen-Anhalt.de](https://www.sachsen-anhalt.de/bs/pressemitigungen/polizei?tx_tsarssinclude_pi1%5Baction%5D=single &tx_tsarssinclude_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=Base&tx_tsarssinclude_pi1%5Buid%5D=581891&cHash=7f50c260255aff2a3eb7034552611c9f) Leaving the scene of an accident without permission is a criminal offense that can result in significant penalties.

Just a few hours after the incident in Köthen, another hit and run occurred in Zerbst on July 2, 2025, at 12:30 a.m. A cyclist crashed into a parked VW on Jeverschen Strasse, causing damage of around 3,000 euros. The cyclist, around 55 years old and of a strong build, left the scene of the accident after witnesses heard a loud bang.

Accidents and their legal consequences

The legal regulation on accident escapes is set out in Section 142 of the Criminal Code. The law protects the interests of those involved in the accident who are dependent on their claims being clarified. It's important to note that even minor damage, such as a parking collision, is considered a criminal offense if not reported. The same applies here: Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident without leaving the necessary information is committing an accidental escape, which can be punished with a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine, reports Fachanwalt.de.

Another example of irregular behavior occurred on the same day at 11 a.m. when a 56-year-old driver of a Seat collided sideways with a Renault. Unfortunately, the driver of the Renault, who is around 60 years old, also left the scene of the accident in breach of duty. The damage to the Seat amounts to around 500 euros.

More incidents in the region

And that's not all! On July 2, 2025, at 9 a.m., a pickpocketing occurred in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. A 68-year-old woman was robbed in a supermarket when her backpack was opened and her wallet containing a bank card and cash was stolen. She acted quickly and had the card blocked immediately.

There was also an incident in Zörbig on July 1, 2025, in which a 19-year-old was bitten by a Rottweiler while walking the dog. The dog owner could not be identified and the criminal police have started an investigation. Furthermore, in Köthen, a 43-year-old woman was insulted by a Toyota driver on the same day when he got into a mishap while parking.

The federal traffic accident statistics show that accidents are not just sudden events, but are influenced by various factors. This includes both the causes of the accident and the number of people and vehicles involved. This data is an important basis for political measures to improve road safety, as analyzed on Destatis.de.

In summary, it should be noted that behavior such as in the cases described - leaving the scene of an accident without permission - is not only morally questionable, but can also have legal consequences. The police are therefore calling on all citizens to be vigilant and to report suspected cases.