Tragic Car Accident in Gegharkunik Province: 59-Year-Old Driver Crashes Opel into Tree, Passenger Dies on the Spot

On March 2, a tragic car accident occurred in Gegharkunik Province. At around 18:10, Artavazd Hovhannisyan, a 59-year-old resident of Sarukhane village, lost control of his Opel with license plate 74 QO 007 under still unknown circumstances. The accident took place on the 53.5 km stretch of the Sevan-Martuni-Gegham highway, within the administrative territory of Sarukhane, where he veered off the road and collided with a thick tree.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, as a result of the accident, the driver was transported to the Martuni medical center for medical assistance, while his passenger, 59-year-old Ashot Mrkoyan, a fellow villager, died on the spot.

Officials swiftly arrived at the scene, including Arthur Mkrtchyan, head of the Gegharkunik regional police, and Stepan Hakobyan, head of the Martuni division of police. Senior investigators Bakur Saribekyan and Nersik Grigoryan from the same unit also arrived; however, after doctors confirmed the death of the passenger, investigators proceeded to the hospital to check the driver's sobriety.

Note: The suspect or accused in the presumed crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, with a verdict that has entered into legal force by the court.