In Ellhofen in the early hours of 1 November 2026, a 15-year-old pedestrian was on the federal highway B39 when he was hit by a car and seriously injured. According to Heilbronn Police Headquarters, the accident happened at around 04:08 near the Aral petrol station. A 22-year-old driver of a Citroën was travelling towards Weinsberg when the teenager crossed the road and was hit by the car. The injured boy received medical attention at the scene and was flown to hospital by rescue helicopter .
The B39 was closed near the accident scene for several hours while police investigated and an expert brought in to assist carried out their work. Traffic was diverted locally. Police said the car sustained damage worth around €5,000. It was not initially clear whether the 22-year-old driver or the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol, or whether other impairments were involved. The Heilbronn Police Headquarters announced that it would assess evidence and witness statements to establish exactly what happened.
Investigators are focusing in particular on the visibility and traffic conditions when the teenager entered the road, and whether the driver was travelling at an appropriate speed. Police initially made no specific statements about possible violations or criminal charges. As of late morning, there were also no confirmed findings on the positions of those involved before the collision or the lighting conditions on the B39.
The section of the B39 near Ellhofen is part of the busy road network in the Heilbronn district. There is often heavier through traffic there during the night and early morning, between the towns and towards Weinsberg. The role that local conditions near the Aral petrol station played in the accident is part of the ongoing investigation. Heilbronn Police Headquarters is asking anyone who witnessed the teenager crossing the road or saw how the Citroën was being driven to come forward.
Once the assessment of the evidence and the technical expert report are available, police plan to provide further information. In the meantime, they are advising road users to pass through the area carefully and allow for short-term traffic disruption.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).