Drunk Driver Causes Serious Crash on E34 in Belgium, Four Injured
A serious traffic collision on the E34 highway in Vorselaar, Antwerp province, left four people injured early Sunday morning after a driver under the influence of alcohol rear-ended another vehicle at high speed. The driver, a Dutch national, had his license immediately confiscated and was arrested at the scene, according to VRT NWS.
The Incident
The crash occurred at approximately 6:02 AM on the E34 near Vorselaar, in the direction of Turnhout toward the Netherlands. Witnesses reported that a vehicle with Dutch license plates was traveling at extremely high speed before slamming into the rear of another car. The impact was so severe that the struck vehicle — bearing French license plates — was pushed into a ditch alongside the highway.
All four injured individuals were occupants of the at-fault vehicle. Local news outlet nnieuws.be reported that their injuries were not life-threatening. The driver of the struck vehicle escaped unharmed. The E34 was temporarily blocked in the direction of Turnhout as emergency services worked at the scene, but traffic has since been fully restored.
Alcohol Confirmed
Federal highway police administered a breathalyzer test to the driver who caused the collision. The test confirmed severe alcohol intoxication. “The federal highway police made the driver of the car that caused the accident blow. And it turned out the man was drunk. His driver’s license was immediately confiscated,” RTV reported.
A spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office confirmed the alcohol involvement and the immediate confiscation of the driver’s license, as reported by HLN. The driver was also taken into custody by federal highway police.
Vehicle Damage and Scene
The collision caused extensive damage to both vehicles. The rear-ending car, which had been traveling at high speed, was heavily damaged in the impact. The struck vehicle was catapulted into a ditch running alongside the highway and had to be towed out via a parallel access road. Photographs from the scene, taken by Paul Fierens for VRT NWS, show wreckage being pulled from the ditch and one vehicle standing sideways across the road.
The E34 Highway
The E34 is a major European route spanning approximately 489 kilometers from Westkapelle in Belgium to Bad Oeynhausen in Germany. In Belgium, it passes through Antwerp, Ranst, Zandhoven, Zoersel, Vorselaar, Lille, Vosselaar, and Turnhout before crossing into the Netherlands, where it continues as the A67 motorway. The section near Vorselaar is a standard dual-carriageway motorway serving as a key transit corridor between the port of Antwerp and the Netherlands.
Vorselaar itself is a municipality in the Antwerp province, part of the Neteland region in the Kempen area, located approximately 25 kilometers east of Antwerp city center.
Broader Context
This incident highlights the persistent problem of drink-driving on Belgian highways. Belgium maintains strict blood alcohol limits — 0.5 g/L for experienced drivers and 0.2 g/L for novice drivers — with penalties including heavy fines, license suspension, and potential imprisonment. Despite these measures, alcohol-related crashes remain a significant road safety concern across Europe.
The involvement of a Dutch driver on a Belgian highway also raises cross-jurisdictional considerations. Under Belgian law, the driver faces potential DUI charges, criminal prosecution for causing injury while intoxicated, and civil liability for damages. The confiscation of his license is effective immediately in Belgium, though coordination with Dutch authorities may follow regarding the enforcement of any driving ban across borders.
The accident occurred during a heatwave in Belgium, with temperatures reaching above 30°C, though no direct link between the weather conditions and the crash was reported.
What’s Next
The four injured individuals are receiving medical treatment, and while their injuries are not considered life-threatening, recovery may take time. The driver remains in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact blood alcohol level or whether additional charges beyond DUI will be filed. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence, particularly on high-speed motorways used by international traffic.