An aggressive driver occupied Vienna police in the Landstraße district on Friday night into Saturday and injured four officers. Officers from the Juchgasse station noticed the 29-year-old due to his erratic driving. When they attempted to stop him for a driver and vehicle check, he sped off. His flight ended when he lost control of his car, collided with a fire hydrant, and crashed into a house wall.

The man drew police attention by driving the wrong way down a one-way street, switching off his lights, and attempting to flee at high speed. He finally came to a halt at the intersection of Landstraßer Gürtel and Hohlweggasse, stopping on the sidewalk. Even after the crash, the Austrian national remained highly aggressive—insulting, threatening, punching, and kicking officers. In total, he wounded four police officers, three of whom were unable to continue their duties.

Police statements indicate the man appeared under the influence of alcohol and drugs and did not possess a valid driver’s license. He was provisionally arrested. He declined medical assistance despite sustaining minor head injuries.

Canine Discovery Under Passenger Seat

Officers later found a terrified, emaciated Belgian Shepherd in the wrecked car, which was registered to the man’s girlfriend. The dog was also injured in the crash and was immediately treated by the police canine unit and animal rescue. The official veterinarian subsequently ordered the dog to be seized by authorities.

The man faces charges of attempted resistance against state authority, multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, traffic offenses, violations of animal protection laws, and the Vienna Animal Husbandry Act. By order of the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, he was remanded to a correctional facility.