19-year-old driver crashes through apartment wall in Styria

A 19-year-old driver was seriously injured after crashing through the wall of an apartment in Brodersdorf in the Graz-Umgebung district, ORF reported. The car became lodged partly inside the flat, while the sleeping resident in a neighbouring room was unharmed. Police said the building is at risk of collapse.

The driver was travelling towards Eggersdorf shortly after 5 a.m. on Sunday. Witnesses said he overtook several vehicles shortly before entering Brodersdorf and was driving at a significantly excessive speed.

Inside the village, the car left the road, crossed a raised section of ground on a meadow and became airborne. It then hit the wall of a multi-apartment building head-on, breaking through the side wall of one flat. Firefighters had to remove the car roof to free the injured driver.

After receiving initial treatment, the man was taken to the University Hospital in Graz. Police said he suffered serious injuries. The apartment’s owner was woken by the crash but was not hurt.

A structural engineer inspected the building on Saturday. The accident scene was cordoned off, although one lane remained open to traffic. Police also found alcohol and drug-related items in the car. The investigation is continuing.