Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel, Causing Serious Accident in Ratingen

Ratingen - A serious accident occurred when a 23-year-old driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The incident took place on August 28, 2025, around 6:30 AM, as the young driver from Duisburg was traveling in a Mercedes E 220 on Fritz-Bauer-Straße heading towards Ratingen city center.

Alongside him were his 51-year-old father seated in the back and a 24-year-old relative in the passenger seat. As the driver lost consciousness, he veered off course, crashing forcefully into a streetlight before coming to a stop in a nearby hedge.

The father sustained life-threatening injuries and required intensive medical care. The other two passengers, while less severely injured, were also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 51-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The Mercedes was completely wrecked and had to be towed away, with damages estimated to exceed EUR33,000.

Authorities closed Fritz-Bauer-Straße until approximately 9:00 AM to facilitate the investigation and cleanup following the crash.

This incident highlights the critical importance of driver alertness and the potential dangers of drowsy driving, emphasizing the need for all passengers to wear seatbelts to reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of an accident.