The Omsk Region investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee continue investigating a criminal case opened over traffic accident that happened on 24 June 2015 in the suburb of Omsk and killed 16 people, including drivers, and injured 11 more passengers. The investigators have charged director of municipal enterprise of Omsk, Passenger Enterprise No 4 Alexander Chertolyas with a crime under part 3 of article 238 of the RF Penal Code (providing services that do not meet life and health safety standards and entailed death of two or more people).
According to the investigators, the accused, who was in charge of arranging for the passenger transportation safety requirements to be met and personal control over compliance with those requirements and labor law, had failed to fulfill his duties properly. As a result of his wrongdoings, the enterprise did not followed working schedule and respite norms set out by the Russian laws and ministerial acts. The drivers often worked extra hours and did not have enough time to have rest and restore. The director was aware about those systematic violations, but he failed to take any measures to handle the problem or follow the law.
This way, according to investigators, the driver of the bus that carried the workers of the poultry factory, had been driving over 12 hours on the day of the accident and had had no rest for a long time. The investigators believe that driver’s tiredness and possible lower concentration might have been the reason why he took the wrong side of the road and collided with the truck leading to numerous deaths.
During the interview Chertolyas plead not guilty, however, a court recognized the arguments of investigators that Chertolyas was involved in the crime and it was necessary to remand him in custody pending trial, well-grounded. Today the court following the request of investigators has ruled to place the accused in custody pending trial as walking free he can oppose the investigation by influencing on witnesses among other means or obstruct it in any other way.
The investigation is ongoing.
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