Details Emerge of Mass-Casualty Crash at Illegal Race Near Slutsk

The Investigative Committee has completed its investigation into a crash that occurred on July 26, 2025, during an illegal race near the village of Vialiki Bykau outside Slutsk.

Four people were injured when a Range Rover SUV collided with other vehicles.

The Range Rover was driven by a 32-year-old local woman. She decided to race her husband, who was driving a Subaru Impreza. After crossing the finish line, both cars turned around to return to the starting position.

The Range Rover was traveling at about 100 km/h in an area where the speed limit was 90 km/h. The vehicle collided with the Subaru and then veered onto the right shoulder, where it hit three pedestrians and crashed into a parked Volkswagen Golf with a female passenger inside. The impact sent the Volkswagen into a ditch.

Four people were injured:

• a married couple who had stopped their car because of a traffic jam. The husband and wife got out and walked along the shoulder to find out what had caused the congestion. After making sure there was no crash ahead, they were returning to their car;
• an 18-year-old female pedestrian, who suffered serious bodily injuries;
• a female passenger in the Volkswagen, who suffered serious bodily injuries and permanent facial disfigurement.

According to the Range Rover driver, the brake pedal went to the floor while she was driving. In an attempt to stop the uncontrollable vehicle, the woman deliberately rammed her husband’s car.

The investigation established that the Range Rover’s braking system was defective: the metal brake line to the rear left wheel had corroded. Nevertheless, investigators believe the driver had a technical opportunity to stop in time and avoid the collision.

Criminal proceedings have been brought against the Range Rover driver under Part 2 of Article 317 of the Criminal Code. The case has been handed over to the prosecutor for referral to court. The defendant has no criminal record but has been held administratively liable several times for traffic violations.