Passenger Dies in Strombeek-Bever Crash, Thrown From Vehicle

A passenger has died following a serious single-vehicle crash at the Strombeek-Bever interchange in Grimbergen, Vlaams-Brabant, after being thrown from the vehicle upon impact. The driver sustained injuries and was transported to hospital, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. The incident occurred at one of the busiest road junctions in the Brussels periphery, where the Brussels Ring (R0) meets the A12 motorway.

The Incident

The crash occurred during the night of Thursday, June 18, into Friday, June 19, 2026, at the interchange connecting the Brussels Ring (R0) with the A12 motorway heading toward Boom. For reasons that remain unclear, a Mercedes passenger vehicle left the roadway and ended up in the roadside verge.

“The passenger was thrown from the vehicle upon impact and unfortunately died at the scene,” confirmed Lieve Crispeels, spokesperson for the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office, as reported by Ring TV. The driver was injured and taken to hospital, though their condition has not been disclosed.

Investigation Underway

The Halle-Vilvoorde prosecutor’s office has launched a full judicial investigation into the circumstances of the crash. A traffic expert, a forensic doctor, and a crime lab team were dispatched to the scene to conduct a thorough examination.

“A judicial investigation has been launched, which is currently in full swing,” Crispeels stated. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage. Investigators will examine potential factors including mechanical failure, driver error, road conditions, and whether speed or other elements played a role.

The identity of the deceased passenger has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. The driver’s identity has also not been made public.

A Junction With a Troubled History

The Strombeek-Bever interchange is one of the busiest road junctions in the Brussels periphery, connecting the capital’s orbital ring road with the major A12 corridor running between Brussels and Antwerp. It frequently experiences heavy congestion and has been the site of multiple serious accidents in recent years.

In February 2025, a man died at the same interchange after stepping out of his vehicle following a minor collision and being struck by a truck on the Brussels Outer Ring. Earlier that year, in January 2025, two people lost their lives in a head-on collision involving a wrong-way driver on the A12 in nearby Meise. A 42-year-old driver was also seriously injured in April 2025 after losing control and hitting the central median on the same stretch of road.

Further back, a fatal crash in July 2022 occurred at the same A12 and Ring junction when a driver lost control while attempting to take an exit at the last moment. In March 2008, two people in their twenties died in a crash on the A12 near Strombeek-Bever. These repeated incidents have raised persistent questions about safety at this critical traffic node, though authorities have not indicated whether specific infrastructure concerns are being investigated in connection with Thursday night’s crash.

What Happens Next

The judicial investigation will continue in the coming days and weeks, with forensic analysis and witness statements expected to shed light on what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. The victim’s identity is expected to be released once family members have been notified.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the A12 or the interchange was closed following the crash or whether traffic disruptions occurred during the emergency response. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.