Officials from the Investigative Committee of the Novgorod Region have released details about a major traffic crash that occurred on January 8 along the M-11 Neva highway. Information surfaced on the committee’s Telegram channel, and subsequent inquiries clarified several critical factors surrounding the incident.
Early findings describe a collision involving a vehicle described as a Cherry model. Reports indicate its tires failed to meet prevailing road conditions, leading to a loss of control and a collision with a metal barrier. The initial impact sparked a chain reaction as other vehicles on the highway collided with nearby Chinese cars and with one another.
In the ensuing moments, a Honda vehicle attempted to maneuver around the wreckage but struck the roadside fence. The driver and a passenger, a wife, exited the vehicle and entered the highway area, where they were struck by passing cars. One child inside the cabin required urgent medical care at a nearby hospital, while medical staff could not save the life of another child on the scene.
The investigation team has indicated that the inquiry remains ongoing. Authorities are examining whether substandard maintenance or insufficient safety measures on the highway may have contributed to the accident. Findings from experts, road users, and equipment assessments will be incorporated as the process advances.
Initial reports place the incident at the 526th kilometer marker of the M-11 near the Novgorod region. More than 50 trucks and cars were involved in crashes that day. The event left multiple injuries, including several children, and resulted in fatalities, with four confirmed deaths including a child.
Regional authorities issued public statements to provide information and to emphasize that investigators will pursue a thorough examination of all circumstances surrounding the collision. The goal is to determine causation, assess road conditions and maintenance practices, and recommend steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The authorities have pledged full transparency as the investigation proceeds and have urged road users to exercise caution on high-traffic routes and during winter conditions. The case continues to develop as the Investigative Committee gathers additional testimonies and technical evaluations to build a complete account of the events on that day. [Source attribution: Investigative Committee of the Novgorod Region]