Overtaking dispute in Klagenfurt injures motorists and police

A dispute between two drivers on the Südring road in the city of Klagenfurt left several people injured, ORF reported. A 57-year-old man allegedly attacked another driver after being overtaken, triggering a rear-end collision and further altercations with police.

The 57-year-old was driving east on Friday evening when a 44-year-old driver overtook him near a traffic light because of his slow and erratic driving, according to police. The older driver allegedly responded by driving closely behind him and repeatedly flashing his headlights.

The 44-year-old eventually stopped, and both men got out of their vehicles. The 57-year-old allegedly punched the other man in the face and knocked out one of his front teeth.

Because the two vehicles were stopped on the Südring, a 45-year-old driver stopped behind them. A 19-year-old driver approaching from behind was unable to brake in time and crashed into her vehicle, police said. The 19-year-old, the 45-year-old and her two passengers, aged 46 and 10, suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to the UKH Klagenfurt hospital.

Further physical confrontations between the two men reportedly occurred while police recorded the crash. The 57-year-old also allegedly kicked officers intervening at the scene, lightly injuring two of them.

The man was arrested and taken to the Klagenfurt police detention centre. Police said he was heavily intoxicated. He is to be reported to the Klagenfurt public prosecutor’s office on suspicion of attempted resistance to state authority and causing bodily harm.