Terrorism ruled out after driver hits pedestrians in Germany

Investigators believe a driver involved in an incident in central Germany in which several pedestrians were injured may be mentally ill.

The police and the public prosecutor's office in the town of Giessen said on Tuesday that there is no evidence of a politically motivated or terrorist crime.

"No reliable information can be provided at this time regarding the exact motive for the crime, as the suspect made only incoherent statements shortly after his arrest," investigators reported.

Investigators say that on Monday afternoon a 32-year-old driver changed lanes and then crashed into a parked car at high speed. The car was thrown towards a bus stop and hit a 64-year-old woman who was waiting there, seriously injuring her.

The driver then continued his journey "unperturbed," partly on the pavement, slightly injuring two people in the process. When he collided with another parked vehicle, a 29-year-old man detained him until the police arrived.

The driver is a man from Azerbaijan who most recently lived in Giessen. He is being investigated for attempted murder, dangerous interference with road traffic and grievous bodily harm.

Investigators said there were indications that he was suffering from acute psychosis. A psychiatric expert has been commissioned to examine the man.

An accident investigator has also been called in to clarify the exact course of events.

The town's Christmas market, which is not far from the scene of the incident, remained open.