Fatal crash in Tilst under investigation on two fronts

The Independent Police Complaints Authority and East Jutland Police are investigating the fatal crash in the Aarhus district of Tilst, where a car with four young men collided head-on with a house, killing a 64-year-old woman.

The crash occurred after a patrol car pursued the vehicle at 23:48 on Tuesday evening, according to East Jutland Police. DR’s legal analyst, Louise Dalsgaard, explains that the Independent Police Complaints Authority will determine whether the pursuit and the crash were connected.

“This clarification may take some time,” she said.

East Jutland Police will handle the second line of inquiry, addressing questions such as why the car did not stop, who was in the vehicle, whether it was driving recklessly, and if the driver was under the influence of substances.

The car carried four young men—two aged 20 and two aged 19. One of the 20-year-olds was charged with traffic-related manslaughter in a custody hearing at Aarhus Court on Wednesday evening.

Police reported in a daily update that they briefly pursued a vehicle after a group of cars were driving recklessly in a shopping center parking lot in Tilst. Dalsgaard notes that police pursuits carry risks and are subject to strict guidelines, requiring continuous coordination with the control center. If the pursuit is deemed too dangerous, the control center can order it to stop.

Neighbors in the residential area have laid flowers in front of the house where the crash occurred, and flags in the neighborhood are flying at half-mast. Residents held a memorial ceremony on Wednesday evening, observing a minute of silence in honor of the victim and her family.

The four men in the car and other residents of the house sustained minor injuries.