Berlin Traffic Accident: Driver Arrested After Hitting Children, Supervisor
Berlin, Germany – September 4, 2025 – A harrowing scene unfolded in Berlin’s Wedding district this afternoon as a 20-year-old driver allegedly ran a red light and struck a group of children and their supervisor. The incident, which occurred around 12:50 PM local time at the intersection of Dohnagestell and Seestrasse, has left three children with minor injuries and their supervisor critically wounded. This breaking news story is developing, and we’ll bring you the latest updates as they emerge. This article is optimized for Google News and SEO.
What Happened in Berlin-Wedding?
According to Berlin police spokesperson Florian Nath, the driver of a blue BMW failed to stop at a red traffic signal while turning from Dohnagestell onto Seestrasse, colliding with a group of pedestrians lawfully crossing the street. The group consisted of seven to eight-year-old children from Moabit participating in a leisure activity with their supervisor. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle approaching and managed to jump out of the way, but the teacher accompanying the children bore the brunt of the impact.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with 44 firefighters and paramedics arriving at the scene. The supervisor was immediately treated and transported to the Virchow Clinic with serious injuries. The three injured children also received medical attention at the same hospital, but their injuries are not life-threatening. A total of 19 individuals were examined by rescue workers.
Driver Arrested, Intoxication Suspected
The 20-year-old driver was immediately arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the driver was under the influence of intoxicating substances. A blood test has been taken, with results expected in the coming days. The driver’s license has been confiscated pending the outcome of the investigation. Initially, the driver was described as being in shock and suffering minor injuries himself.
“There is neither a terrorist motif, nor can we speak of a rampage here,” stated Nath, emphasizing that this incident, while tragic, appears to be a case of reckless driving. “But it is one of many traffic accidents that happen in the big city, and in this case, it is exactly one.”
Rising Accident Rates in Berlin: A Growing Concern
This incident comes amid a concerning trend of increasing traffic accidents in Berlin. In June 2025, police recorded 12,015 traffic accidents – a 5.4% increase compared to June 2024. Accidents resulting in personal injury rose by 3.4%, with 1,754 people affected, a 2.8% increase year-over-year. Six fatalities were recorded during that month. Critically, accidents involving drivers under the influence of intoxicating substances have also seen a significant jump, increasing by 11.5% to 58 cases.
This uptick in accidents underscores the urgent need for increased road safety awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Experts suggest a combination of factors may be contributing to the rise, including increased traffic volume, distracted driving, and a potential increase in substance abuse.
Supporting Those Affected: Emergency Pastoral Care
In the aftermath of the accident, emergency pastoral care teams were deployed to provide support to the children, parents, and first responders. Markus Gehlen, head of emergency pastoral care, described the scene as initially relaxed, with the children engaged in a picnic before the incident. He emphasized the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for the children and offering guidance to parents on how to address potential emotional and behavioral changes in their children, such as sleep disturbances.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of pedestrians and the devastating consequences of reckless driving. As the investigation continues, we will continue to provide updates on this developing story. Stay tuned to archyde.com for the latest information and in-depth analysis of traffic safety issues.
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Source: Berlin Police Department, Fire Brigade Berlin, dpa/afp
