A Jordanian taxi driver went on a rampage in Cologne yesterday, running down women with his car. It’s interesting that the city has a “police commission for rampage crimes” — evidently this sort of crime is common enough to warrant special police attention.

Many thanks to Gary Fouse for translating this article from Bild:

Several injured in driving rampage in Cologne — Taxi driver apparently deliberately runs down women

Cologne — What an unbelievable driving rampage

On Monday evening in Cologne Old Town, a Jordanian (44) deliberately ran down several women, and some of them were seriously injured.

According to witnesses, the taxi driver from Velbert (North Rhine-Westphalia) raced his car shortly after 10 pm in the Kleine Budengasse — there he hit two women (22, 23) head-on who were heading to the Old Market.

But that did not stop the man’s rampage. Then he raced his VW Passat further in the direction of the Rhine, and there he drove at three other women. He hit two of them, and one woman was able to jump to the side.

What is striking about the rampage: The Jordanian apparently was targeting only women. According to initial investigations and evaluations of video material from surveillance cameras, the 44-year-old deliberately drove toward his victims and hit the gas before impact. The police commission for rampage crimes has taken over the investigation. Thus far, the motive of the taxi driver is not exactly clear.

Waiter is a hero

A waiter (34) at the brew house, in front of whom the crime occurred, was a brave hero. The police report: “On foot, he took chase.” In doing so, he put himself in great danger: At the Grossen Neugasse, the taxi drove at him — the driver drove at him without braking.

Despite a leap to the side, an outside mirror struck him on the upper body. Finally, the waiter managed to hold the driver, who had gotten out of the vehicle at the Old Market, until the arrival of the police.

Taxi rammed a woman one hour earlier in Essen

The man’s rampage probably began an hour earlier. Around 9pm, the same taxi hit a woman (50) while making a right turn in Essen. The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries. “This matter has also been taken over by police in Cologne. Whether it is the same driver is still under police investigation,” according to a report.

Since the man was suspected to be under the influence of cocaine and cannabis, and cocaine was found in the auto, police ordered a blood test. After a medical examination, the emergency doctor referred the accused detainee to a psychiatric clinic.

The police are asking witnesses to the incidents to report to the police: 0221/2290.

See also the Daily Mail article on the incident.