Court sentences driver to 9 years for causing deaths of four pedestrians in Fergana

The driver who caused the death of four pedestrians in the Dangara district by hitting them was brought to criminal responsibility. Kun.uz reviewed the court verdict.

According to the court document, Sh.V., born in 1998, was driving his brother's Cobalt car while intoxicated on February 20, 2024, around 11:30 PM. While driving on the “Kokand-Mulkobod-Gulbog-Pungan” road section passing through the Dangara district, he lost control and hit six pedestrians walking on the right side of the road. He then fled the scene without providing assistance to the injured.

As a result of the accident, four citizens - O.I., K.I., D.I., and O.Y. - died at the scene. They were young men aged 20-21. Additionally, Sh.J. suffered moderate injuries, and A.O. sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized.

According to the forensic chemical examination, Sh.V.'s urine contained ethyl alcohol and the potent drug tropicamide.

In court, Sh.V. fully confessed to his guilt.

"I have been engaged in passenger transportation to Tashkent with the Cobalt car registered in my brother's name. On February 20, 2024, at around 4:00 or 5:00 PM, I brought four passengers from Tashkent to Dangara and dropped them off at their destinations. Since it was late, I went to a restaurant called 'Kamron' to eat. On the way, I bought vodka to drink during the meal. I consumed some of it while eating. I slept there for a while and when I woke up, quite some time had passed.

I started driving towards the village of Urganji. The road was meant for two-way traffic. While driving, I fell asleep due to fatigue and intoxication. I woke up when my head hit the 'dash.' Initially, I thought I had hit a cyclist. At that moment, my car crashed into a tree on the roadside. After it stopped, I got out of the car, saw the situation, and fled out of fear. When I came to my senses, I found myself lying in a field in the Tumor neighborhood, inside a ditch.

I apologize to the relatives of the deceased and the injured and will later compensate for the material damages caused to them," said the driver in his statement.

The legal representatives of the deceased stated that they had covered the funeral and other expenses themselves, renounced material and moral damages and asked the court to impose the harshest penalty prescribed by law on the driver.

By court verdict, Sh.V. was found guilty of committing crimes under Article 117, Part 3(a) (leaving in danger leading to death) and Article 266, Part 3(a) (violation of traffic safety rules leading to death) of the Criminal Code. He was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to drive all types of vehicles for three years. The sentence is to be served in a penal colony.