17-year-old motorcyclist drags police officers during Graz stop

Police officers were dragged several metres by a 17-year-old motorcyclist during an attempted stop in Graz, ORF reported. The teenager was heavily intoxicated, did not have a valid driving licence and was injured when he later crashed.

A police patrol noticed the rider travelling in a zigzag pattern towards the junction of Seebachergasse and Elisabethstraße at about 12.50am on Sunday. He stopped at a red light, and the officers got out and told him to dismount.

When he failed to respond, the officers each took hold of one of his arms. The rider suddenly accelerated, dragging them several metres before crashing. He then tried to escape on foot, but one of the officers stopped him and brought him to the ground.

The injured teenager was taken to Graz Regional Hospital. The two officers were not hurt. Further investigations are under way.

In a separate alcohol-related crash in Graz’s St. Peter district on Saturday evening, an 18-year-old motorcyclist collided with a car on Autaler Straße.

The car, driven by a 61-year-old man, was turning left and failed to see the motorcyclist travelling straight ahead. Despite braking hard, the 18-year-old struck the right side of the car head-on and fell from his motorcycle. He was taken to Graz Regional Hospital after receiving first aid.

Police found the car driver to be heavily intoxicated and confiscated his driving licence and vehicle key.