German van driver had run-ins with police, suicidal thoughts

The 48-year-old German man who drove a van into a crowd in Muenster was well-known to police, had a history of run-ins with the law and had expressed suicidal thoughts to a neighbor last month, German prosecutors said Sunday.

The man, whose name was not released, killed two people and injured 20 others Saturday afternoon by crashing into those drinking outside a popular bar in the western German city's Old Town. He then shot himself to death inside the van.

Flowers and candles are pictured at the place in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a vehicle crashed into a crowd yesterday. (Ina Fassbender/dpa via AP)

Head of police, Hans-Joachim Kuhlisch, center left, and prosecutor Elke Adomeit, center right, give a statement in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018.  (Ina Fassbender/dpa via AP)

The impact of the crash was so violent that the van did not stop until it hit the pub's stone wall.

Police said Sunday that they believed he acted alone, but did not explain why they thought that.

The picture painted by police showed the suspect as a Muenster resident who was apparently financially well off but was frequently at odds with authorities and in court often. Local media reported that he is an industrial designer who once threatened his father with an ax.

Muenster Police President Hajo Kuhlisch said the man's four apartments — two in Muenster and two in Saxony — and several cars had been searched thoroughly.

German interior minister Horst Seehofer, right, visits the place in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a vehicle crashed into a crowd yesterday. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Flowers and candles are seen at the place in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a vehicle crashed into a crowd yesterday. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Prosecutors said he had expressed suicidal plans by email to a neighbor. Police were told about the email and went to the man's Muenster home but he was not there. They then told local authorities at the man's other homes in Dresden and Pirna in eastern Germany about the note, but he could not be found there either.

In a joint statement Sunday, police and prosecutors said the suspect didn't mention any intention to harm other people in his email. The city's health services had also been in touch with the man, but authorities didn't say why. Germany has very strict privacy laws on medical issues.

Authorities still appeared stumped about the man's motive for the attack.

"We have no indications that there is a political background or that others were involved" in Saturday's deadly crash, prosecutor Elke Adomeit told reporters. "But he was well known to the police."

German interior minister Horst Seehofer, center, prays with interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Herbert Reul, second left, governor Armin Laschet, right, and the mayor of Muenster Markus Lewe, left, at the place in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a vehicle crashed into a crowd yesterday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

German interior minister Horst Seehofer places flowers at the place in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a vehicle crashed into a crowd yesterday.  (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

She said the man had three previous court procedures in Muenster and two in nearby Arnsberg in 2015 and 2016. His run-ins with the law regarded threats, property damage, fraud, a hit-and-run and domestic conflicts with his family, but Adomeit said that all charges were dismissed.

Authorities have identified the two victims killed by the van crash as a 51-year-old woman from Lueneburg county, 300 kilometers (186 miles) to the northeast, and a 65-year-old man from nearby Borken county. Their names were not released, as is customary in Germany.

Early Sunday, all three bodies were taken from the crash scene in front of the well-known Kiepenkerl pub. The silver-grey van that crashed into the crowd was hauled away hours later, after explosives experts had thoroughly checked it.

Forensic experts work on the scene in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (David Young/dpa via AP)

A damaged van sits on the platform of a truck in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after the van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Inside the van, police found illegal firecrackers that were disguised as a fake bomb, a fake pistol and the real gun that the driver used to kill himself with.

Inside the apartment where the man was living, which was near the crash scene, police found more firecrackers and a "no-longer usable AK-47 machine gun." Police also found several gas bottles and canisters containing gasoline and bio-ethanol, but did not know yet why they were stored there.

"We are now focusing our investigations on getting a comprehensive picture of the perpetrator's behavior in the weeks (before the crash) to find out his motivation for this horrible act," Kuhlisch said in the statement.

A damaged van sits on the platform of a truck in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after the van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Forensic experts work on the scene in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

Officials said some of the 20 injured were still in life-threatening condition Sunday. They have not identified them, but Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state said they included Dutch citizens.

"This was a horrible and sad day for the people of Muenster, all of Germany ... and also the people of The Netherlands, who were sitting here and became victims," he said as he toured the scene Sunday.

At a hastily announced memorial put together by Catholics and Lutherans Sunday night, Muenster's Roman Catholic bishop urged mourners to try to understand the crash, with God's help.

A damaged van sits on the platform of a truck in Muenster, western Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after the van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

A body is loaded into a vehicle in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Bishop Felix Genn preached Sunday night at the city's famous Paulus Cathedral, where the 700 seats were packed. Rescue personnel, emergency doctors and firefighters were among those attending the service.

A body is loaded into a vehicle in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (David Young/dpa via AP)

A body is loaded into a vehicle in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Sunday, April 8, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd. A van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar Saturday in the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it, police said. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Muenster is a popular tourist destination known for its medieval old town, which was rebuilt after massive destruction during World War II. The city was buzzing on Saturday — one of the first warm spring days of the year — and scores of people were sitting in the square outside the famous Kiepenkerl pub when the van driver struck.

"This cowardly and brutal crime has shocked all of us," said German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who placed flowers at the crash site Sunday.

In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo a ribbon with the writing 'Muenster' sits between candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternin the German city of Muenster, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo people light candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo people light candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

In this Saturday, April 7, 2018 photo people light candles in Muenster, western Germany where a van crashed into people drinking outside a popular bar von on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 20 others before the driver of the vehicle shot and killed himself inside it. (Friso Gensch/dpa via AP)

People stay in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd killing four people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Stephan R./dpa via AP)

People stay in front of a restaurant in Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018 after a vehicle crashed into a crowd killing four people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Stephan R./dpa via AP)

Police officers secure the crime scene after a car crashed into a group of people leaving several dead in Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ferdinand Ostrop)

Police walk in downtown Muenster, Germany, Saturday, April 7, 2018. A vehicle crashed into a crowd Saturday in the western German city of Muenster, killing three people and injuring 20 others. The German news agency dpa has quoted police as saying the driver of that car in Muenster has killed himself. (Friso Gentsch/dpa via AP)

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The major traffic artery linking New England with New York will be closed in Connecticut for days after a tanker fire damaged a bridge over Interstate 95, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.

The tanker truck filled with gasoline burst into flames in a three-vehicle crash Thursday on I-95 in southwest Connecticut, closing the East Coast’s main north-south highway and causing major traffic jams. While Lamont said there were no serious injuries in the 5:30 a.m. accident in Norwalk, the crash caused damage to the bridge above it.

“The heat from the burning fuel compromised some of the bridge, so that bridge is going to have to come down and that demolition is going to start first thing tomorrow morning,” Lamont said at a briefing Thursday evening in Hartford.

He said the hope is to reopen the interstate by Monday morning.

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said his city's schools will be closed on Friday. It's unclear whether they'll reopen Monday. He urged local employers to consider allowing employees to work from home on Friday, if possible, or use the MetroNorth commuter rail. Additional trains are being added to the rail line, officials said.

While the bridge was less than 10 years old, "the damage was pretty severe due to the amount of gasoline that was in the tanker ignited directly underneath the bridge structure,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “The steel did begin to overheat and warp.”

The tanker had been carrying a load of about 8,500 gallons (about 32,000 liters) when it crashed beneath the Fairfield Avenue bridge, officials said. The overpass did not appear in danger of collapsing, said Scott Hill, chief engineer for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Eucalitto said it's unsafe to allow any traffic to pass underneath the bridge in either direction, so the entire bridge, which has beams that cross both spans of highway, has to be removed.

Large equipment was being brought to Connecticut Thursday evening to complete the demolition, which is expected to begin around 3 a.m. on Friday. Lamont said the work could take 24 hours or longer to complete. After that, the roadway may need to be repaved before it can reopen.

It will likely take about a year to replace the bridge, a major artery for the city of more than 91,000 people. Lamont said he is hoping to receive federal reimbursement to cover the cost.

“I’m glad everyone is OK,” Lisa Brinton, who lives south of I-95, told Hearst Connecticut Media. “My concern is the after effect. Norwalk is divided in half by 95 and I drive over Fairfield Avenue bridge everyday.”

The cause of the crash remains under police investigation and no charges have been filed.

About 160,000 vehicles travel that portion of I-95 in both directions daily, Eucalitto said.

Traffic was backed up for dozens of miles during the morning rush hour, and lengthy delays remained in the area into Thursday evening and were expected through the weekend. Slow-moving detours were set up, taking traffic off the highway and around the accident scene. The crash left other highways and secondary roads in gridlock. The major alternate route in the area, the Merritt Parkway, cannot be used by trucks because the underpasses on that highway are too low.

Text alerts were sent to residents of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and trucking companies who use the section of I-95 were notified to find alternative routes and means of travel, he said. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also was notified.

“I know what an incredible inconvenience this is for people and all I can ask you to do is stay away from that area as best you can,” Lamont said during an earlier briefing in Hartford. “The traffic jams are horrendous.”

Crews offloaded about 4,000 gallons (about 15,142 liters) of gasoline that was unburnt and remained on the tanker. Utility crews were also working to replace downed wires.

Environmental crews worked to clean up gasoline and firefighting foam. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the runoff was contained to a retention pond and did not make it into the Norwalk River or the city's harbor.

The accident was reminiscent of last year's deadly accident in Philadelphia along I-95 when a tractor-trailer carrying gasoline lost control and caught fire, destroying a section of the highway.

The crash also came just over a year after a similar wreck on I-95 in Connecticut that forced the closure of the highway.

In April 2023, another fuel truck caught fire after colliding with a stopped car on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge between New London and Groton. The fuel truck driver was killed. The crash shut down the southbound side of the bridge for hours, while the northbound side was closed briefly. The driver of the car was recently charged with negligent homicide.

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Associated Press writer Dave Collins contributed to this report

In this image provided by the Connecticut Governor's Office, emergency personnel work at the scene of a fiery early morning crash that left both sides of Interstate 95, the East Coast’s main north-south highway, shut down in southwestern Connecticut., Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Norwalk, Conn. (Norwalk Fire Department/Connecticut Governor's Office via AP)

In this image provided by the Connecticut Governor's Office, emergency personnel work at the scene of a fiery early morning crash that left both sides of Interstate 95, the East Coast’s main north-south highway, shut down in southwestern Connecticut., Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Norwalk, Conn. (Norwalk Fire Department/Connecticut Governor's Office via AP)

This image provided by the Norwalk Police Department shows the scene of a tanker fire on I-95 in Norwalk, Conn., Thursday, May 2, 2024. Both sides of I-95, the East Coast's main north-south highway, were shut down — causing “horrendous” traffic jams — following the early morning crash involving a passenger car, a tractor-trailer and a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons (about 32,000 liters) of gasoline. (Norwalk Police Department via AP)