A 25-year-old American driver heading toward Hauptstrasse in Mackenbach failed to yield at the intersection of Marktstrasse and Schulstrasse, causing a minor collision Sept. 26, 2024. He later tested above the legal alcohol limit, leading to charges of endangering road safety, police said. (Google Maps)

A Thursday evening traffic accident on Marktstrasse in Mackenbach has led to serious consequences for a 25-year-old American driver, Westpfalz Police Department officials said.

The crash occurred around 7 p.m. when the man, driving a Dodge Caravan, was heading toward Hauptstrasse. At the intersection of Schulstrasse, the driver failed to yield to an Audi, resulting in a collision. Both vehicles sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

However, during the investigation, police officers noticed the American smelled slightly of alcohol, police said in a statement on Friday. A breathalyzer test confirmed their suspicions, showing a blood alcohol level of over .05 %, which exceeds the legal limit for drivers in Germany.

The driver was required to leave his vehicle at the scene and was taken to a police station for further testing, including a blood sample. His driver’s license was confiscated, and he now faces charges of endangering road safety under German traffic laws.