News

The Mari-El Republic Office of the Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into unsafe services under Part 3 of Article 238 of the RF Criminal Code after a traffic accident involving a passenger minibus.

According to investigators, the Mercedes Sprinter minibus and KamAZ truck got into the crash at about 5:30 PM on 16 November 2017 at kilometer marker 64 of the highway between Yoshkar-Ola – Kozmodemyansk. According to preliminary information, the minibus driver drove to the wrong side of the highway to overtake and hit the timber truck trying to avoid collision with it. Then the minibus swerved into a ditch. 15 people were killed, including a minor, 4 more were taken to hospitals with a range of injuries.

The investigators are examining the scene and are working to find out all the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Criminalists of the Investigative Committee’s Central office are on their way to the scene to assist with the inquest.