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Motorcycle accident (symbolic photo)

Photo: PFAE / picture alliance/dpa/vifogra

A woman is said to have caused a fatal accident, photographed the dying man and then simply drove on. The Düsseldorf district court found the driver guilty of negligent homicide.

It sentenced the 41-year-old to ten months in prison on probation and a fine of 5000 euros. Her behavior had made headlines nationwide in July 2022.

The woman had illegally turned her car around and caused the accident, the court was convinced. A 60-year-old motorcyclist had to brake hard, skidded and crashed into a post. The man died at the scene of the accident from his serious injuries.

Photo for the boss

She had not collided with the motorcycle at the time and therefore did not associate the accident with herself, the defendant had explained. She had photographed the injured motorcyclist with her mobile phone and immediately sent the photo to her boss, "so that he would believe me that it would be later because there was an accident," the 41-year-old had testified.

The court only acquitted the woman of the accusation of hit-and-run: The situation was confusing, the woman's testimony was credible in this respect. Due to the photographing, the 41-year-old was convicted of violating personal rights.

Her lawyer had demanded acquittal on all counts, the prosecutor a prison sentence of two years and four months without parole. The verdict is not yet final.

kub/dpa/AFP