- Location: Jena, City Center (Saalstraße / Oberlauengasse)
- Time of Incident: Wednesday, 04.02.2026
- Vehicle: White delivery van (Mercedes Sprinter)
- Witnesses Sought: Two mail carriers, couple with a stroller
- Case Number: 0030549/2026
Jena. An incident in the Jena pedestrian zone is currently occupying investigators from the Landespolizeiinspektion. In the middle of the city center, a precarious situation occurred in which passers-by were only able to avoid a collision through quick reactions. The police are now turning to the public with a specific appeal to fully clarify the facts.
Dangerous Encounter in Saalstraße
As reported by the police, the incident took place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Two young women were on foot in Saalstraße, at the corner of Oberlauengasse – an area designated as a pedestrian zone and frequented daily by numerous people.
Suddenly, a white delivery vehicle, identified as a Mercedes Sprinter, approached. According to the victims, the van drove towards them in such a way that they were forced to jump aside to avoid being hit. Such situations are unfortunately not uncommon in mixed-traffic zones where delivery traffic meets strolling pedestrians and carry a high potential for conflict.
Mail Carriers and Family Sought as Key Witnesses
Investigations have shown that the incident did not go unobserved. Several people were in the immediate vicinity and could provide crucial information regarding the driving behavior of the van or the exact sequence of events. The police are specifically looking for:
- Two mail carriers who were at the scene at the time in question.
- A couple who were out with a stroller.
So far, officers have not been able to determine the identity of these individuals. However, their statements could be decisive in substantiating or refuting the allegation of endangerment.
Background: Safety in the City Center Area
Conflicts between delivery services and pedestrians are a recurring issue in urban centers like Jena. Especially in narrow alleys like Oberlauengasse, mutual consideration is essential. A look at the accident statistics for the state of Thüringen for the year 2023 shows the relevance of road safety: A total of over 4,300 accidents were registered in urban areas. Although accidents involving personal injury only account for around 11 percent of the total, every incident in which unprotected road users such as pedestrians are endangered is one too many.
Statistically, over 50,000 traffic accidents occurred in Thüringen in 2023. The police therefore place great importance on taking situations without a direct collision seriously if there was a concrete danger.
How to Contact the Police
The Jena police request that the aforementioned witnesses and any other persons who observed the incident contact them urgently. Information will be accepted via telephone at 03641 81-0 or by email at id.lpi.jena@polizei.thueringen.de. Please quote the case number 0030549/2026.
Help ensure the safety in our city.
Sources:
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Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.