A tragic traffic accident claimed the life of a driver on the E19 motorway near Mechelen on Friday evening, according to a statement released by the federal police on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 17:00 near the Mechelen-Noord exit, in the direction of Antwerp. Preliminary findings suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle for reasons yet to be determined.
The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and sustained significant damage. Despite swift intervention by emergency services, the driver succumbed to injuries at the scene.
At this time, no information has been released regarding the identity, age, or gender of the victim. Authorities have confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with the Mechelen public prosecutor’s office expected to provide further insights into the circumstances leading up to the accident.
Traffic in the area experienced delays on Friday evening as a result of the crash. The E19 is a major arterial road connecting Brussels and Antwerp, and the Mechelen-Noord interchange is often a busy section, especially during evening commute hours.
While one lane remained open during the emergency response, significant congestion developed in the hours that followed.
Local police and traffic forensic experts carried out an on-site examination on Friday evening. Witness accounts and any available camera footage from traffic surveillance systems are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The federal police are urging any witnesses who may have seen the incident or noticed erratic driving behavior in the minutes leading up to the crash to come forward. “Even minor observations can help reconstruct the exact course of events,” said a spokesperson.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with high-speed driving and the critical importance of road safety awareness, particularly during peak travel hours. Though weather conditions were reported to be dry and clear at the time of the accident, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of mechanical failure or human error.
Further updates will be issued once more details are released by the public prosecutor’s office. Meanwhile, the identity of the victim and whether other vehicles were involved remain unconfirmed.
As the investigation continues, authorities have extended their condolences to the victim’s family and urged drivers to exercise heightened caution on the roads.
