Weekend chaos in Rheingau-Taunus as drunk drivers and hit-and-runs spike
A series of incidents involving drunk driving, hit-and-run collisions, and violent altercations occurred across the Rheingau-Taunus region over the weekend. Police detained multiple suspects, including a heavily intoxicated driver in Geisenheim and an unlicensed motorist in RĂźdesheim who fled the scene of an accident.
On Friday, January 2, 2026, at 21:45, a 47-year-old man from Geisenheim was stopped on BlumenstraĂe in Marienthal after officers suspected he was driving under the influence. A breathalyser test confirmed he had over 2.0 per mille of alcohol in his system, leading to his immediate arrest.
Earlier, in Eltville, a white BMW struck and damaged an entrance gate on Kiedricher StraĂe before speeding away. The driver remains unidentified. Meanwhile, in Heidenrod-Gerolstein, a 28-year-old man from RĂźdesheim crashed into a road sign and left without reporting the incident. Authorities later discovered he was driving without a licence and that the vehicle lacked insurance. In Idstein, an unknown individual vandalised a yellow Seat Ibiza, smashing the windshield and deflating both front tyres. The damage was estimated at around âŹ2,000. A separate incident in Taunusstein saw a 25-year-old local man suffer minor facial injuries after being punched and sprayed with pepper spray during a confrontation. Two men, aged 24 and 23 from Bad Schwalbach and Eltville respectively, were involved in the altercation.
Police are investigating all cases, with charges expected for drunk driving, hit-and-run offences, and criminal damage. The injured man in Taunusstein received medical treatment, while authorities continue to search for the unidentified suspect in the Idstein vandalism. The incidents highlight ongoing concerns over road safety and public order in the region.
