Couple killed in accident on Dutch highway; suspect intoxicated

A couple from Houten was killed in a serious accident on the A44 near Nieuw-Vennep on Saturday. A third person was seriously hurt. The man suspected of causing the accident, a 32-year-old man from Oestgeest, was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time. He fled the scene of the accident on foot, but was later caught by the police.

The accident was reported to the police around 6:40 p.m. on Saturday. At the scene the police found four cars that were involved in the accident. The occupants of one car, a 66-year-old man from Houten and his 62-year-old wife, were resuscitated at the scene, but they succumbed to their injuries. A third person was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

Witnesses told the police that one car was trying to pass another. The suspect hit first hit one car and then crashed into the back of the car of the couple who died. The couple's car shot forward and hit a fourth car.

The suspect ran away into a farmland. A police dog was deployed to help search for him. The man was found lying on his stomach between rapeseed plants in a field. A breathalyzer test showed that he was under the influence of alcohol. He also tested positive for the use of cocaine, amphetamine and methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and his car was confiscated.