A driver could face severe charges following a fatal car crash last Sunday that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Greek medical student.
Nicosia Traffic Police investigations are in advanced stages, having clarified several issues regarding passenger positions in the rental car, with only minor details remaining before the case file is completed.
According to the philenews sources, police will recommend charging the driver under Article 210 of the Criminal Code for causing death through reckless and dangerous action.
Additional charges will include driving above the legal alcohol limit and allowing two passengers to travel in the vehicle without seatbelts.
Police have testimony that one person exited the vehicle from the boot area after the accident.
This detail is still under investigation, though evidence suggests this person was in the cargo space. The situation will be clarified after all passengers provide their statements.
It has been confirmed that the victim, Eirini Kontogiorgou, who would have turned 21 on December 3, was seated behind the front passenger seat.
The fatal collision occurred around 3:10 a.m. Sunday when a rental car driven by a 20-year-old lost control on Archangelos Michael Avenue in Engomi.
The driver’s final alcohol test showed 55μg%, significantly above the 9μg% limit for his age group.
Meanwhile, parliament’s Transport Committee will discuss the increasing number of road fatalities this year.
Particularly concerning is that 82% of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing seatbelts, according to Traffic Police Assistant Chief Harris Evripidou.
Of 22 fatalities this year, only three of 13 drivers were wearing seatbelts, with seatbelt status unclear for eight other passengers.
Police believe some victims might have survived if wearing seatbelts, based on vehicle damage assessment.
The year has also seen increased pedestrian and motorcyclist fatalities, with half of the deceased motorcyclists not wearing helmets.
Main causes of fatal accidents include distracted driving (mobile phone use), pedestrian carelessness, drunk driving, and various traffic code violations.
Six deaths were attributed to unusual road behaviour, including incidents involving stolen vehicles and agricultural machinery.
