According to the press service of the RF Investigative Committee, law enforcement officers detained the driver of a standard passenger bus after it collided with a cargo truck on the Simferopol-Evpatoria highway in Crimea. The incident occurred on the morning of March 24, and investigators have opened a criminal case to establish what happened and who is responsible. Officials stressed that the case centers on whether transport services met safety requirements and complied with traffic regulations, and that the investigation will proceed with procedural steps as evidence is gathered. The committee noted that the driver has been taken into custody as a suspect and will be questioned as part of the inquiry. The information signals a formal phase of the investigation, with procedural actions expected to unfold in the coming days. In line with typical practice, the authorities will review vehicle data, examine the scene, and interview witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the crash. (Source: RF Investigative Committee press service)
The driver of the bus has been named a suspect in a criminal case opened under the relevant chapters of the Penal Code, reflecting charges related to the provision of services that did not meet safety standards and violations of road rules. The investigation focuses on the safety framework governing passenger transport and whether any lapses in service or enforcement contributed to the collision. Investigators emphasize that the case will be handled in accordance with due process, with prosecutors coordinating the next steps as evidence accumulates. The detention of the driver is a standard measure while the inquiry progresses, and authorities are preparing to present material to the court for consideration of preventive measures. (Source: RF Investigative Committee press service)
Officials from the RF Investigative Committee have signaled that prosecutors will soon be involved as part of the process. After completing initial investigative actions, agents plan to submit a petition to the court requesting a preventive measure for the driver. The procedural plan includes securing evidence from the scene, reviewing traffic camera footage, gaining statements from witnesses, and verifying the mechanical condition of the bus and the truck. The aim is to ensure a fair, transparent process that clarifies responsibility for the incident while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved. (Source: RF Investigative Committee press service)
The accident on the Simferopol-Evpatoria route occurred on March 24 at 7:30 Moscow time. Officials say a standard passenger bus collided with a cargo truck after the bus reportedly moved toward the edge of the roadway. The crash resulted in injuries to a number of passengers, with the health ministry reporting 36 people hospitalized, including eight children. Medical teams were dispatched to the scene and provided care to those affected, with many receiving ongoing monitoring and treatment in nearby hospitals. The full scope of injuries and long-term outcomes remain part of the ongoing medical and investigative work. (Source: Ministry of Health briefing)
The Interior Ministry of the Republic confirmed that the bus driver was sober at the time of the incident. Investigators are examining why the collision occurred, including whether safety protocols were followed, whether there were any violations of road rules, and how factors such as speed, vehicle condition, and road layout may have contributed to the crash. The authorities stress that a careful, evidence-based approach will determine fault and guide any subsequent legal actions. (Source: Republic Interior Ministry briefing)
At the outset of the report, there was a note about another incident in the Republic of Bashkortostan, where a passenger car reportedly veered off the road toward a lake at high speed. While this separate event is not directly connected to the Crimea crash, it is cited to underscore ongoing concerns about driver behavior and road safety in the region. Regional authorities continue to monitor traffic incidents and reinforce safety measures to reduce future risks on all major routes. (Source: regional safety briefings)