Details on the Tragic Accident on the Yerevan-Yeraskh Road

The Investigative Committee of Armenia is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of a car accident that resulted in the deaths of six people. The Armenian Investigative Committee reports that on July 6, 2019, around 15:00, on the 54th kilometer of the Yerevan-Meghri highway, at the bridge of Vayots Dzor village in Ararat Province, the vehicles "GAZEL," "Toyota Hilux," and "VAZ 21063" collided, causing a fire to break out in the "GAZEL" vehicle. The fire subsequently spread to the "Toyota Hilux" and "VAZ 21063" vehicles.

As a result of the accident, the driver of the "GAZEL" vehicle and five passengers died at the scene. Other passengers from the "GAZEL," as well as the driver and passengers of the "Toyota Hilux," a total of 11 individuals, were transported to medical centers with various injuries. A criminal case has been initiated in the Vedi division of the Ararat provincial investigative department under Article 242, Part 3 of the Armenian Criminal Code. A decision has been made to assign the preliminary investigation to an investigative group.

An inspection of the accident scene revealed six burned bodies inside the "GAZEL" vehicle. It was determined during the examination that one body was male, while five were female. The burned bodies have been presented for identification, revealing that the male victim was the driver of the "GAZEL," born in 1962, a resident of Ararat village. The female victims are residents of Armash village, born in 1965 and 2003, and residents of Surenavan village, born in 1996 and 1999. The identity of one female victim is still unclear, and a blood sample has been taken for forensic genetic testing. Forensic examinations of the bodies have also been appointed.

The identities of seven other passengers who sustained injuries in the "GAZEL" vehicle have also been established. They include three residents from Surenavan village, born in 1984, 1991, and 2007, two residents from Yeraskh village, born in 1999 and 2004, and two residents from Ararat city, born in 1977 and 2006. The condition of three of those injured is assessed as extremely serious.

Concerning the individuals present in the other vehicles at the time of the incident, it has been reported that the driver of the "Toyota Hilux," a 1956-born resident of Yerevan, was injured along with three passengers: a 1953-born resident of Yerevan and two residents of Vayk, born in 2011 and 1973. The driver of the "VAZ 21063," born in 1998, and his passenger, born in 1996, were unharmed.

The three vehicles involved in the accident have been moved to a police-secured location. During the preliminary investigation, several urgent investigative actions have been carried out: the clothing of the injured persons at the time of the incident has been seized, the sobriety of the drivers has been checked, and according to the results of the inspections, both the drivers of the "VAZ 21063" and "Toyota Hilux" were sober. Injured individuals and eyewitnesses have been interrogated.

For the clarification of circumstances significant to the criminal case, various forensic examinations have been appointed, including forensic medical, fire-technical, and auto-technical comprehensive examinations. The preliminary investigation continues, with necessary investigative and procedural actions taken to ascertain all circumstances of the accident and verify the claims made in testimonies.