A 24-year-old man was killed and three members of his family seriously injured when a car driven by a 29-year-old man under the influence of alcohol plowed into them in Loutsa, eastern Athens, according to police and hospital officials.
Surveillance video aired by Greek broadcaster MEGA shows the vehicle veering out of control, striking a parked car and then mounting the sidewalk before hitting the four pedestrians. Investigators are awaiting full toxicology results to determine whether drugs were also involved.
The victim died instantly.
His 21-year-old girlfriend, who had returned to Greece with him for her university graduation ceremony, underwent surgery at KAT Hospital and is now in stable condition.
His 22-year-old sister and 57-year-old mother were also hospitalized with serious injuries.
A rescue worker who responded to the scene said the driver appeared detached from the tragedy unfolding around him.
“Police were telling him he had caused a death, and he kept looking at his car to check the damage,” the responder told reporters. “He didn’t seem to understand what had happened.”
Neighbors rushed out with blankets and tried to comfort the victims as emergency crews arrived.
The young man had been working at his family’s chocolate company in Belgium — a business founded more than a century ago by his great-grandfather, Leonidas Kestekides.
“He wanted to continue the family tradition,” a relative said. “He studied abroad, earned a master’s in London, and he was already contributing to the business. Everyone loved him.”
The driver, described as belonging to a well-known business family, showed little visible emotion at the scene, witnesses said.
His mother told Greek media only: “I am very sorry, but I cannot speak to anyone. I am deeply upset.”
Police are continuing their investigation into the crash as prosecutors prepare potential charges.