ZIL Driver Crossed Solid Line, Entered Opposing Lane: Investigative Committee Provides Details on Tragic Accident

The Prosecutor's Office initiated public criminal proceedings against H.P. on August 17, 2023, under Article 342, Part 3 of the Criminal Code (violating traffic safety rules or the rules ensuring the safe operation of vehicles, which carelessly resulted in the death of two or more persons). This was reported by the public relations department of the Republic of Armenia's Prosecutor General's Office.

The investigation has established that on August 14, 2023, at approximately 00:20, H.P., while driving a "ZIL - MMZ-554M" vehicle along the Yerevan-Gyumri highway and reaching the 90th kilometer mark in the administrative territory of Lanjik in the Shirak region, failed to adhere to the traffic rules established by the Government. Despite the presence of a solid line dividing opposing directions of traffic and indicating the boundaries of road zones in dangerous areas, H.P. did not maintain right-hand traffic and crossed the solid line, entering the opposite lane. As a result, H.P.'s vehicle collided head-on with a "Volkswagen Crafter" driven by Marlen Mikhaili Margaryan, who was traveling straight on the opposing roadway.

The accident resulted in the careless causing of death of Marlen Mikhaili Margaryan, the driver of the "Volkswagen Crafter," and passengers Mushag Arayik Eloyan, Lianne Vachagani Kochinyan, Eva Artak Parsyan, Nare Sureni Amaryan, Helen Vachiki Dadayan, Amalya Armeni Mnatsakanyan, Baris Marati Thorosyan, Anahit Rubiki Hakobyan, Alvard Martirosi Martirosyan, and Arayik Sureni Muradyan.

Additionally, H.P. caused various degrees of bodily harm to passengers Margarita Arzumani Gabrielyan, Lilith Vano Ghukasyan, Eduard Gagiki Sahakyan, Paytsar Sabiri Avanesyan, and Eduard Khachatur Koloyan through negligence.

Notice: An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the criminal procedure code and by a judgment that has entered into legal force.