Van der Valk Mourns Teen Killed in Brasschaat Car Crash

The Van der Valk hotel chain has issued an emotional tribute following the death of 16-year-old Martin Dias, a family member who was killed in a high-speed car crash in Brasschaat, Belgium, on the night of Friday, May 15. The teenager was a passenger in an Audi Q7 driven by a 17-year-old without a valid driver’s license, which crashed into a tree at approximately double the speed limit.

The Crash

The accident occurred just before midnight on the Sionkloosterlaan in Brasschaat, an affluent suburb of Antwerp. According to VRT NWS, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone when it lost control in a gentle curve. “The vehicle first hit a first tree along the side of the road with its right flank and then ended up head-on against another tree,” explained Lieselot Claessens of the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Five teenagers were in the gray Audi Q7 — four boys and one girl, aged 14 to 17. Martin Dias, seated in the back, was declared dead at the scene. The four other occupants were seriously injured, with the driver and a 14-year-old initially in life-threatening condition before being stabilized.

A Prominent Family in Mourning

Martin was a scion of the Van der Valk family through his mother’s side, and his father serves as CEO of Van der Valk Hotel Nazareth-Gent. Three of the other passengers were also family members; the 17-year-old driver was a friend of the family.

On Monday, May 18, the hotel chain posted a heartfelt statement on social media, as reported by VRT NWS. “With a broken heart we share this message. Martin Dias, the youngest son of our family, left us far too early this weekend as a result of a tragic accident,” the statement read. “Martin was a young man who always radiated. Cheerful, warm, loved by everyone who knew him. He prepared himself heart and soul for a future in the hotel industry, a future that looked so bright for him.”

The statement continued: “That future was abruptly taken from him and that leaves a void that words cannot fill.” The chain addressed the family directly, saying: “Van der Valk stands for family and today we feel together this loss that is so immeasurably great.”

A Motivated Student and Teammate

Martin was a student at Hotelschool Ter Duinen in Koksijde, commuting weekly from Brasschaat to the coast — a journey of approximately 150 kilometers. According to HLN, school director Peter Verbeke paid tribute: “Martin was a very motivated boy. His death hits very hard… That he came weekly from Brasschaat to the coast proves his commitment to attending classes here. We will continue to remember Martin here as an involved and welcome student.”

Martin was also a member of KHC Dragons, a prominent field hockey club in Brasschaat, which opened a condolence register for him.

Investigation Underway

The 17-year-old driver did not have a driver’s license — not even a provisional one — and did not have permission to drive the vehicle. The Audi Q7 belonged to a female family member who has yet to be questioned. Reports have also emerged that the teenagers may have taken turns driving.

A blood sample has been taken from the driver for toxicology testing, with results still pending. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues, though excessive speed is considered a primary factor.

Community in Shock

The crash has deeply affected the Brasschaat community. Federal Minister and Brasschaat resident Jan Jambon visited the crash site and signed a condolence register. “This hits everyone hard. It’s truly terrible that something like this happened. The young people and their families will be marked for life,” Jambon said, as reported by LINDA.nl. The municipal council held a minute of silence, and a condolence register was opened at the town hall.

What’s Next

As the Van der Valk family prepares for funeral arrangements, the legal process looms for the 17-year-old driver, who faces potential charges including vehicular manslaughter, driving without a license, and speeding. Toxicology results are expected later this week, which will determine whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the tragedy.

The crash has reignited discussions in Belgium about underage driving and road safety, with the hospitality community and the Brasschaat area left to mourn a young life cut tragically short.