New Details on Fatal Accident in Gegharkunik Involving Four Deaths

Details have emerged regarding the circumstances of the road traffic accident that resulted in the deaths of four individuals on November 25, 2022, on the Sevan-Martuni-Getap road.

On November 25, 2022, at approximately 01:30, vehicles identified as a “VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-1.8” and a “BMW-325-i” collided on the 58th kilometer of the Sevan-Martuni-Getap road. As a result of the crash, the driver and one passenger of the “BMW-325-i” were hospitalized with injuries at the Martuni medical center, while another passenger from the same vehicle, along with the driver and two passengers of the “VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-1.8,” died at the scene.

Following the incident, the Gegharkunik Regional Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case under part 3 of Article 342 of the Armenian Criminal Code. During the preliminary investigation, the individual found in the “BMW-325-i,” a resident of Gegharkunik, continuously denied being the driver, asserting through testimonies that the vehicle was operated by another person who was also hospitalized.

However, extensive evidence collection and procedural actions were conducted during the preliminary investigation, employing effective investigative tactics. The investigation obtained clear data and targeted questions leading to a comprehensive forensic, medical, and collision reconstruction examination, which established that on November 26, 2022, at approximately 01:30, the aforementioned resident of Gegharkunik, in a state of intoxication and without a valid driving license, operated the “BMW-325-i” on the Sevan-Martuni-Getap road, heading from Sevan City towards Martuni.

Upon reaching the 58th kilometer of the specified road, in the administrative area of Litchq, he violated provisions of Article 23, part 3 of the Law on Ensuring Road Traffic Safety, as well as points 65 and 2 of the traffic regulations, driving at speeds exceeding the permitted 90 km/h—recorded at 160 km/h and subsequently at 200 km/h—entering the opposite direction's traffic lane and driving against oncoming traffic.

This created a hazardous situation, resulting in a collision with the “VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-1.8” traveling towards Sevan City from Martuni.

The accident caused the deaths of the driver and two passengers of the “VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-1.8,” as well as one passenger from the “BMW-325-i.” Another passenger in the “BMW-325-i” sustained life-threatening injuries.

Based on sufficient evidence, charges have been filed against the driver of the “BMW-325-i” under part 4 of Article 342 of the Armenian Criminal Code. A motion has been presented to the court to apply detention as a preventative measure. The investigation is ongoing.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law as established by the final judgment of a court.