Driver Flees Alcohol Check, Hits Four Cars in Machelen

A 36-year-old driver fleeing a police alcohol checkpoint in Vilvoorde early Friday morning caused significant damage in Machelen, crashing into four parked cars and a wall. Despite the dramatic chase, the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs—but was driving with an active driving ban in an uninsured, unregistered vehicle.

The Incident

The events unfolded in the early hours of Friday, July 18, 2026, shortly after 3 AM. According to VRT NWS, the driver approached a police alcohol checkpoint on the Leuvensesteenweg in Vilvoorde, operated by Police Zone VIMA (Vilvoorde-Machelen), but instead of stopping, he sped away.

“A 36-year-old man evaded an alcohol check on the Leuvensesteenweg in Vilvoorde and fled with his car towards Machelen,” said Gert Mathay, spokesperson for Police Zone VIMA. Police immediately initiated a pursuit.

The chase ended in the Petrus Turcksinstraat in Machelen, where the driver lost control of his BMW. Het Laatste Nieuws reported that he crashed into four parked cars and came to a stop against a wall.

Damage and Injuries

The suspect’s BMW was heavily damaged and had to be towed. Two of the four parked cars were also heavily damaged and required towing. The fire department arrived at the scene to clear debris and clean the roadway.

The driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to AZ Jan Portaels hospital in Vilvoorde for treatment. No other injuries were reported.

A Surprising Discovery

At the hospital, tests revealed a surprising finding: the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, police discovered that the man had an active driving ban (rijverbod). Furthermore, as RingTV reported, the vehicle was uninsured, unregistered, and lacked a valid inspection certificate.

“The man had a driving ban but was not under the influence of alcohol, nor of drugs. However, the vehicle was not insured, not registered, and had no valid inspection certificate,” Mathay confirmed.

Multiple Violations

The driver now faces a cascade of legal consequences. Fleeing a police checkpoint, driving while under a driving ban, and operating an uninsured and unregistered vehicle are all serious offenses under Belgian law. Driving with a suspended license can result in fines ranging from €200 to €4,000 or more, extension of the driving ban, and possible imprisonment.

Driving without insurance is also a criminal offense in Belgium. Under the Belgian Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, all motor vehicles must be covered by valid third-party liability insurance. Uninsured drivers face significant fines and potential civil liability for damages—a particularly concerning issue for the owners of the damaged parked cars, who may face difficulties seeking compensation.

Broader Context

This incident highlights a recurring challenge in Belgian traffic enforcement: drivers who accumulate multiple violations pose significant risks to public safety. The case also illustrates that not all drivers who flee alcohol checkpoints do so because of alcohol consumption. Other legal vulnerabilities—such as an active driving ban or an unregistered vehicle—can motivate flight behavior just as strongly.

Belgium maintains strict blood alcohol limits of 0.5‰ for experienced drivers and 0.2‰ for novice drivers, with regular checkpoints as part of traffic safety campaigns. However, this case demonstrates that enforcement must also address the broader ecosystem of driving offenses beyond alcohol.

What’s Next

The driver was apprehended after the crash and taken to hospital for treatment. It remains unclear whether he has been formally arrested or released pending a court date. The specific legal penalties he will face for the combination of offenses, and how the owners of the damaged vehicles will be compensated given the driver’s lack of insurance, are questions that remain to be answered.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drivers who operate vehicles outside the legal framework—and the unpredictable consequences when they attempt to evade law enforcement.