Authorities open criminal investigation into deadly minibus-truck crash, reckless driving suspected

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Authorities have instituted criminal proceedings on aggravated reckless driving (vehicular manslaughter) amid the ongoing investigation into the fatal minibus crash in Shirak Province.

11 people died in the early hours of Monday morning in a car crash involving a minibus and a truck on the Yerevan-Gyumri highway.

Gor Abrahamyan, the spokesperson of the Investigative Committee, said in a statement that the driver of the minibus and 10 passengers were killed instantly in the crash. 5 other passengers, including the driver of the ZIL truck, were hospitalized. The criminal case was opened under paragraph 3, Article 342 of the Criminal Code – violation of traffic rules or vehicular operation safety rules which negligently caused two or more deaths.

Abrahamyan said that law enforcement agencies are working to identify all passengers, reveal the cause of the crash and “give a legal assessment to the actions of the drivers.”

The Ministry of Healthcare reported that 5 of the 6 hospitalized victims are in intensive care. 1 of the victims is in critical condition.

Three other passengers were treated for minor injuries at the Astghik Medical Center and were discharged.