In the Rostov region, a serious road crash on the M-4 Don highway resulted in one fatality and two injuries. The incident was reported by TASS, citing the regional traffic police’s press service. A total of five vehicles were involved in the sequence of events that unfolded on the highway, prompting emergency responses and traffic management actions along the corridor.
Initial reports indicate that a passenger sustained injuries and was transported to a medical facility for treatment. Among the vehicles affected were an Iveco truck and a VAZ-2107 passenger car, with the driver of the VAZ-2107 identified as Ceylan. Tragically, Ceylan died at the scene, underscoring the severity of the collision impact. The sequence of crashes appeared to involve several consecutive movements between vehicles, with a Gazelle van colliding with the Iveco truck and subsequently impacting the VAZ-2107, as well as interactions with a Toyota Camry and a Kia Ceed in the chain of impact. Source note: findings were reported by regional authorities and corroborated by traffic police communications, including updates from the Rostov region press office. [Citation: Rostov region traffic police, TASS].
The collision occurred at the 1097th kilometer marker on the M-4 Don highway, a stretch that is heavily trafficked and connects major urban centers. After the accident, the roadway at that segment was temporarily closed to traffic, with responders setting up a service detour along adjacent routes, including the Azov–Vasilyevo–Petrovskoye–Samara corridor (60N-54). Traffic began moving again in stages as emergency crews worked to secure the scene, assess vehicle positions, and clear debris from the roadway. Motorists approaching Moscow were redirected or allowed to pass in the right-hand lane under supervision, a measure intended to minimize congestion while ensuring safety for both drivers and responders. [Citation: regional traffic management dispatch].
Officials noted that the incident’s complexity required multi-agency coordination, including on-scene responders, medical teams, and traffic control officers. Investigators collected evidence from all involved vehicles to determine the sequence of contacts and contributing factors. While the exact cause remained under review at the time of official updates, authorities emphasized the importance of vigilant driving on high-speed, high-traffic highways and adherence to safe following distances. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly a routine drive can escalate into a life-threatening situation when rules of the road are not followed. [Citation: Rostov region traffic police briefing].
In a separate but related development, earlier reports from the same regional services noted an incident involving a taxi driver who damaged another vehicle deliberately. According to the Sochi State traffic inspectorate, the driver used a whip to strike a side window, leading to a police response and subsequent investigation. This event, while unrelated to the M-4 Don incident, illustrates ongoing concerns about road safety and driver behavior in various parts of the region. Authorities urged all road users to stay calm, obey traffic signals, and report any dangerous acts immediately to help prevent similar situations in the future. [Citation: regional traffic police briefing].