Last Sunday, a 37-year-old woman in Moscow lost control of her Kia on 12 Svoboda Street, veering onto the sidewalk where she struck a mother, a four-year-old boy, and a one-year-old girl in a stroller. The mother and the boy died instantly, while the infant survived but remains in critical condition in hospital.
Investigators determined the driver was under the influence of a substance from the cannabinoid group at the time of the crash. Consequently, prosecutors reclassified the case under a provision that covers driving while intoxicated and negligent conduct resulting in the deaths of two people. The penalty for this offense can range from eight to fifteen years in prison.
Records show this driver had a prior serious accident about a year earlier. In that incident, she ran a red light in central Moscow and collided with a foreign car. The vehicle owner faced a repair bill of 2.8 million rubles, with insurance covering only a portion. The court subsequently ordered the driver to pay 2.1 million rubles. She attempted to appeal but the higher court upheld the decision in August of the following year.
The ongoing case continues to unfold as authorities examine the driver’s past behavior, the extent of damages, and the impact on the surviving child.
Further details and updates are reported by national news agencies as the investigation progresses.