The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against a 38-year-old man following a collision with a rocky barrier in the Lazarevsky district of Sochi while driving an UAZ. The information was released by the regional arm of the Investigative Committee of the Krasnodar Territory, part of the Russian Federation.
The Investigative Department of the Krasnodar Territory Investigative Committee, within the Lazarevsky district of Sochi, stated that charges have been brought against the 38-year-old man on suspicion of providing services that do not meet safety requirements for life and health protection for consumers, in violation of paragraphs a and c, part 2 of article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The committee’s statement emphasized the alleged safety lapses associated with the services offered.
Investigators report that the suspect allegedly offered jeep tours to acquaintances for a fee. In the incident near the village of Solokh-Aul, the driver reportedly exceeded the speed limit and collided with a rocky wall. Updated information notes that eight people in the UAZ sustained injuries, including a pregnant woman and two children aged five and thirteen. Thankfully, their lives are not in immediate danger. In line with official updates, authorities noted that the driver was transporting a group of tourists in a vehicle that appeared to have the necessary permits, though the specifics of those permits were not detailed in the early updates.
Local law enforcement confirmed that the event involved a moving SUV carrying tourists, with the crash occurring after the vehicle struck a rock barrier along the roadway. The incident prompted emergency responses and subsequent medical assessments for all passengers. The scene prompted a broader review of safety practices related to excursion vehicles and the oversight of rides offered to visitors in the region.
The previous day’s events also involved a separate fatal crash involving a UAZ, underscoring ongoing concerns about road safety and vehicle handling in high-traffic tourist corridors. Reports indicate that a separate incident in a nearby area had involved a vehicle maneuvering between two other cars driven by a third party, a reminder of the broader risks that can accompany road travel in tourist zones. Authorities continue to investigate both cases to determine contributing factors, including driver actions, vehicle condition, and compliance with safety regulations for passenger transit.