Man on Mobility Scooter Killed by Drunk Driver in Jabbeke

A 67-year-old man riding a mobility scooter was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Tuesday morning in Jabbeke, West Flanders — a tragedy that unfolded on Belgium’s National Day and has reignited public calls for stricter penalties against drunk driving.

The collision occurred early Tuesday morning on the N377 (Expresweg) at the intersection with Duikerstraat. The victim, a disabled man whose identity has not been publicly released, was attempting to cross the busy road on his mobility scooter when he was hit from behind by a car, according to VRT NWS.

The Incident

Emergency services arrived at the scene and attempted to resuscitate the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The force of the impact was severe, with debris from the mobility scooter scattered across dozens of metres of roadway.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old man, tested positive on a breathalyser test administered at the scene. He was immediately arrested and taken for questioning. As is standard procedure in Belgium for drunk driving incidents involving fatalities, his driving licence was confiscated for 15 days.

“The victim died at the scene from his injuries,” the West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed. “A road traffic expert was appointed to investigate the circumstances of the accident.”

The suspect “was arrested and taken for questioning. His driving licence was withdrawn for 15 days,” the prosecutor’s office added, as reported by HLN.

A National Day Tragedy

The incident occurred on 21 July, Belgium’s National Day — a public holiday marked by celebrations across the country, including the traditional Te Deum service and military parade in Brussels. The timing has added a layer of poignancy to the tragedy, as many Belgians were beginning their holiday with festivities.

According to the traffic expert’s analysis, the victim was riding on the bicycle path and attempted to cross the road near the bridge towards the Duikerstraat when he was struck from behind. The Brussels Times reported that the West Flanders public prosecutor’s office has appointed a road traffic expert to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.

Drunk Driving in Belgium

Belgium maintains strict laws against driving under the influence. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L for experienced drivers and 0.2 g/L for those who have held a licence for less than two years. Penalties for drunk driving causing death can include imprisonment, substantial fines, and lengthy driving bans.

However, this incident has sparked renewed debate about whether current penalties are sufficient. Reader comments on HLN’s coverage included calls for alcohol interlocks, longer driving bans, and stricter enforcement. The fact that the driver was under the influence early in the morning has also raised questions about late-night drinking and potential alcohol dependency.

Vulnerable Road Users

This tragedy highlights the particular vulnerability of mobility scooter users and other disabled road users, who are often less visible and more exposed on the roads. Mobility scooters are classified as disabled vehicles in Belgium and are typically required to use bicycle paths depending on their speed capability. The victim was reportedly riding on the bicycle path at the time of the accident.

The incident follows a similar tragedy in Turnhout in March 2026, where an 81-year-old woman on a mobility scooter was killed by a driver under the influence of drugs.

What’s Next

The 27-year-old suspect faces potential charges of involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol. The case will proceed through the Belgian criminal justice system, likely resulting in a trial before the police court. The identity of the victim has not been publicly released, pending family notification, and no statement from the victim’s family has been made public.

As the community of Jabbeke mourns this loss, the incident serves as a sombre reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving — and the ongoing need for road safety measures that protect the most vulnerable users.