In Bashkiria, a tragic road incident claimed the life of a one and a half year old boy. Local officials say the crash was caused by a young driver who was only eighteen years old, does not hold a license, and was under the influence of alcohol at the time. The information was shared by Vladimir Sevastyanov, head of the republican traffic police, via the Telegram channel. The details have prompted officials to review safety protocols and licensing enforcement in the region.
The accident happened around one in the afternoon in the Davlekanovsky district on the Polyakovka to Chernigovka highway. The driver of a VAZ-21099 reportedly lost control, veered off the road, and plunged into a ditch. The vehicle then struck an electric booster and overturned. There were five people inside the car at the moment, three of whom were male children aged 1.5 years, 4 years, and 7 years. The child passengers were seated in the rear seats without appropriate child restraints, which authorities say played a critical role in the severity of the injuries.
As a result of the crash, the 18-month-old boy died from his injuries. The driver and the other occupants escaped with no serious injuries. A preliminary blood test indicated the driver had a high level of alcohol in his system. Investigators also found that the driver did not possess a valid license and that the vehicle carried incorrect license plates. The car’s numbers did not correspond to official records, raising questions about vehicle documentation and ownership.
Community officials and road safety groups are calling for stricter enforcement of licensing and vehicle registration laws, along with stronger adherence to child passenger safety standards. In the aftermath, authorities have stressed the importance of limiting alcohol use before driving and ensuring that all passengers, especially children, are properly secured in appropriate child seats. This incident has prompted discussions about the standards for supervision and liability in cases involving underage drivers and unlicensed operators.
While authorities continue to investigate, officials emphasized that the immediate cause of the fatal crash was a combination of driver inexperience, possible intoxication, and faulty safety practices in the vehicle. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder to communities about road safety responsibilities and the need for vigilance when transporting young children in motor vehicles. Local officials have reiterated their commitment to updating public safety measures and enforcing traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future. [Official traffic police update, Bashkortostan region]