The Public Prosecutor’s Office is seeking the detention without bail of the driver who may have caused a road traffic accident near Mykolaiv that left 12 people dead

The court is determining the pre-trial measure for the suspect in the fatal road traffic accident on the Mykolaiv–Odesa motorway. Photo: NikVesti

The Central District Court of Mykolaiv is determining a pre-trial measure for the Nissan driver following a road accident near Mykolaiv in which 12 people were killed: the prosecution is seeking his arrest without bail.

This is reported by a correspondent for NikVesti.

According to NikVesti, the prosecution is asking the court to impose a pre-trial measure on the suspect in the form of detention without bail.

The prosecution is represented by a team of prosecutors led by Ihor Domushchei, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Also taking part in the hearing are prosecutor Iryna Leheta and a senior investigator from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Mykolaiv region.

The court is determining the pre-trial measure for the suspect in the fatal road accident on the Mykolaiv–Odesa motorway. Photo: NikVesti

It is known that the suspect is originally from the Poltava region. According to his defence lawyer, the man works as a driver for the UN and transports senior officials from international organisations.

Two lawyers are representing the suspect. Before the hearing began, they declined to comment on the case to journalists, stating that they would present their position in court.

The court is determining the pre-trial measure for the suspect in the fatal road accident on the Mykolaiv–Odesa motorway. Photo: NikVesti

The court is determining the pre-trial measure for the suspect in the fatal road accident on the Mykolaiv–Odesa motorway. Photo: NikVesti

During the court hearing, the Nissan driver did not admit guilt and stated that he had been driving in accordance with the rules and had done everything possible to avoid the accident.

«I would like to express my sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims, but I can say that I am not to blame for this. I did everything I could and was simply driving in accordance with the rules. Yes, I was in a hurry…,» said the suspect in court.

As a reminder, the accident took place on 4 July on the Mykolaiv–Odesa motorway, involving a Nissan Murano, a Mercedes Sprinter minibus and a Volvo lorry. According to the investigation, the Nissan driver veered into the oncoming lane, causing the accident. As a result, the minibus, carrying passengers, veered onto the hard shoulder, overturned and collided with the lorry. Twelve people were killed and a further six were injured.

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Following the accident, law enforcement officers tracked down and arrested the Nissan driver. He was charged under Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — a breach of road safety regulations resulting in the death of several people.

In addition, following the accident, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, issued a statement regarding the tragic road traffic accident in the Mykolaiv region.

A Day of Mourning was declared on 5 July in connection with the fatal accident in Mykolaiv.