Car crashes in Riga, driver removes licence plates and walks away

A road accident took place at around 1:00 a.m. on Friday, 23 October, on Ozolciema Street in Ziepniekkalns, a district of Riga, Latvia's capital. The driver of a Honda Civic left the carriageway and struck a road sign. The driver then left the scene, the State Police told the news portal Delfi. The circumstances of the crash remain unclear for now.

What witnesses said

According to eyewitnesses, the driver appeared to be visibly intoxicated by alcohol. A passenger was also in the car and tried to pull the driver out of the vehicle, claiming this would save him from going to prison.

Witnesses say the passenger later left the scene, while the driver removed both of the car's licence plates and walked away as well. Police arrived only after that.

Police response

With the help of local residents, one of the removed plates was found. The driver later reportedly came back to the scene together with a friend. The State Police are currently establishing the circumstances of the incident.