High-speed A5 autobahn chase ends in fiery multi-car crash near Friedberg
A high-speed chase on the A5 autobahn ended in a multi-vehicle crash on 3 April 2026. The incident began when a driver fled from police near Friedberg, leading to collisions and road closures. Five cars were involved, including the suspect's vehicle and an unmarked police car. The chase started just after 2:25 p.m., when a plainclothes patrol tried to stop a car heading toward Frankfurt between Friedberg and Bad Homburg. The driver ignored the signal and sped off, first toward Frankfurt before abruptly changing direction toward Kassel.
As the pursuit continued, the fleeing vehicle collided with the unmarked police car near Ober-Mörlen. The impact injured the suspect, who was later taken to hospital. No officers suffered injuries in the crash. The collision caused a pile-up involving three additional cars. Both the suspect's vehicle and the police car were severely damaged and had to be towed away. The A5 remained shut between the Friedberg and Ober-Mörlen exits until 3:35 p.m. An independent police unit was called in to document the scene and ensure an unbiased investigation. Authorities are now examining why the driver fled and how the crash unfolded.
The suspect was hospitalised, while the autobahn reopened after a 70-minute closure. Investigators continue to piece together the events leading to the chase and collision. The case remains under review.
