How did the crash happen?
According to the initial data, the two cars were moving at a very high speed and were probably involved in a race. The 119 bus was making a left turn when a car collided with it from the side and overturned it.
The second vehicle flew off the road and crashed into a public transport stop.
Deputy City Prosecutor Angel Kanev stated that the evidence collected so far points to the guilt of the drivers of the two cars. According to initial estimates, they were traveling at a speed of between 140 and 150 km/h, but the exact speed will be established with expertise.
How many victims?
Three people died in the accident. Two of them are passengers in the bus and are Indian nationals. One died on the spot and the other later in hospital.
Authorities later announced the death of a man who was traveling in one of the vehicles involved in the accident.
How many were injured?
A total of 17 people were injured – passengers from the bus and people from the two cars. Three of the injured are in serious condition and their lives are in danger.
What do the initial checks show?
The drivers tested negative for alcohol and drugs. Further research is pending.
The prosecutor’s office also reported that after the accident, the two drivers showed aggression towards the bus driver and the fire brigade teams, including through threats.
What are the driver details?
According to the investigators, the two drivers are known to the police.
It is checked whether the driver’s licenses they hold, issued in the Czech Republic, are authentic and whether they have criminal records abroad.
Their social status will also be checked, since, according to the prosecutor’s office, there is a discrepancy between the official data in the NRA and NOI and the lifestyle that the two have shown on social networks.
What was the danger to the passengers?
One car crashed into the bus and burst into flames.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the passengers were in real danger of burning, and the quick response of the firefighters prevented even more serious consequences.
In the impact, one car literally split in two after colliding with a pole and a stop. The other was badly damaged by the impact and the subsequent fire.
Is there a safety issue at the site?
The Deputy Mayor for Transport Viktor Chaushev stated that only one Road Police patrol is on duty for the entire Kremikovtsi area.
According to him, it was the bus driver who first signaled a race between cars in the area shortly before the accident.
Chaushev pointed out that there is a lack of sufficient control and prevention and called for a more serious presence of the police.
What will be done with Chelopeshko road?
A repair project has been prepared for the entire section, but no funding has been secured so far.
The mayor of the “Kremikovtsi” region, Lilia Donkova, announced that the administration will request urgent measures to secure the place.
Among the proposals are the construction of raised footpaths, artificial bumps and other measures to limit speed.
According to the local authorities, the long straight section of Chelopeshko Shosse often provokes drivers to drive significantly above the speed limit, and accidents occur there regularly.
