On December 16, the court imposed preventive measures on two suspects involved in a large-scale road accident near Lviv on December 15. The BMW driver and his passenger have been taken into custody.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on the Ternopil-Lviv-Rava-Ruska highway near the village of Chyzhykiv in the Lviv district. Preliminary reports indicate that a 24-year-old BMW driver, a resident of Lviv region, veered into the oncoming lane, colliding with a DAF truck. The impact caused the truck to lose control and crash into a Mercedes Sprinter minibus. All three vehicles ended up in a ditch.
The BMW driver and passenger fled the scene after the collision.
Victims and Injuries
The accident claimed the lives of a 23-year-old minibus driver from the Rivne region and six of his passengers, aged 17 to 55.
Three others sustained injuries of varying severity:
- a 45-year-old DAF driver from the Lviv region;
- two passengers of the minibus: a 23-year-old woman from Rivne region and a 39-year-old man from Lviv region.
All injured individuals were hospitalized.
Investigation Progress
The BMW driver was detained under Article 208 of Ukraine’s Criminal Procedure Code. Preliminary findings suggest he was under the influence of alcohol, and relevant examinations have been scheduled.
The Lviv police department charged the BMW driver under Part 4 of Article 286-1 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (violation of traffic safety rules by an intoxicated driver). This charge carries a penalty of seven to twelve years in prison and a driving ban for seven to ten years.
The 31-year-old BMW passenger was also charged under Part 3 of Article 136 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (failure to provide assistance to a person in a life-threatening condition). He faces three to five years of restricted or deprived freedom.
Court Decision and Further Steps
The court has ordered the suspects to be held in custody. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing as authorities work to establish all circumstances of the tragedy.
Department of Communications, Lviv Police