An 18-year-old woman riding an electric scooter died on Thursday evening after being hit by a car in Mechelen, according to local police.
The victim’s 19-year-old friend, who was with her, had to be hospitalised after the accident. On Friday morning it was confirmed that her life was not in danger. The investigation will determine if both women were on the scooter at the time of the collision.
"The 18-year-old girl from Beringen died on the spot despite resuscitation attempts by the medical team, her 19-year-old friend was taken to hospital with serious injuries," says Dirk Van de Sande, spokesperson for the Rivierenland police zone.
According to local media, the scooter was on the road as there was no separate cycle path. The driver drove into them from behind and then fled the scene. He was later located using surveillance camera footage and is a 36-year-old man from Keerbergen.
But before police could apprehend the driver, he took his own life an hour and a half after the accident on the E314, a three-lane motorway in Holsbeek. Local media report that the man stepped onto the busy road and was hit. He did not survive and had not been questioned or arrested.
The driver was speeding at the time of the accident but it is not yet known whether he was driving under the influence.
Those with questions about suicide can contact the Suicide Line anonymously on the toll-free number 1813.
02 648 40 14 in (English)
0800 32 123 (French)
www.zelfmoord1813.be (Dutch)
