Linux does not need a driver. The USB port is automatically recognized.
It even worked before it failed. Nothing else connected, So no ESD or similar to be expected.
It worked, I tested some sketches but then it failed while downloading some modifications.
When I connected it first the port ttyACM0 was created. After the failure there is no indication that the OS sees anything at the port. No message in dmesg about a connected USB device.
The USB port on the PC is working and usable with other equipment. Testing with another PC shows the same problem.