Фото: sk.gov.by
Investigators Establish Circumstances of Five Fatalities in Deadly M-1 Highway Crash
Investigators have established the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five people in a serious road accident that occurred on 25 August last year on the M-1 highway.
On that day, at the 171st kilometer mark, a BMW traveling toward Brest lost control. The vehicle skidded, entered the oncoming lane and collided with a Volkswagen driven by a 41-year-old man, and then with a Citrak tractor-trailer driven by a 39-year-old man.
As a result of the crash, the 20-year-old BMW driver and his 18-year-old passenger were killed at the scene, along with the Volkswagen driver, his 42-year-old wife and their 18-year-old son. The Volkswagen driver’s nine-year-old daughter survived and sustained less serious injuries. The truck driver was not injured.
Investigators determined that the crash occurred in the left lane of traffic toward Minsk. It was raining at the time of the accident, and the road surface was wet.
As part of the investigation, witnesses were questioned, CCTV footage was reviewed, forensic examinations were conducted and investigative experiments were carried out. It was established that the BMW driver and passenger were not wearing seat belts, and that the vehicle had a technical defect—uneven wear on the rear axle tires with exposed wear indicators. The BMW’s speed before the skid exceeded 140 km/h, above the permitted limit of 120 km/h.
The investigation concluded that the direct cause of the tragedy was the actions of the BMW driver, who was operating a technically defective vehicle, transporting an unbelted passenger, exceeding the speed limit, and failing to take into account road and weather conditions and the condition of the car. This led to a loss of control, a skid and entry into the oncoming lane. These circumstances are in direct causal connection with the resulting consequences, according to the Investigative Committee’s press service.
Following the investigation, the criminal case against the BMW driver was terminated due to his death.
Photos: Investigative Committee of Belarus