In the afternoon of February 26, a large-scale pile-up unfolded on the M-11 Neva highway in the Novgorod region. More than 40 vehicles were involved, forcing a full closure of the road toward Moscow. Traffic authorities reported the crash around 11:20 a.m. on the 504th kilometer of the route. The sequence began with a two car collision, then a truck braking to avoid the chaos struck a bitumen-carrying trailer, followed by another truck colliding with a Renault Duster from the rear.
A woman driving a French crossover lost her life when her vehicle was crushed under a moving truck. In total, at least 14 people were injured, with five showing up in hospital, including four children with concussions. The youngest victim was two years old. Nine others did not seek hospital care. Official updates later indicated that 41 cars sustained damage in the incident.
Witnesses cited weather and road conditions as contributing factors. Heavy snow in the morning reduced visibility, and a thin ice layer formed under tires. Some onlookers noted the absence of snow-clearing equipment at the scene, which typically helps clear the highway more quickly in winter weather.
At the 545th kilometer of the M-10 corridor toward Moscow, traffic police held a briefing in the afternoon to coordinate responses for the nearby stretch. Emergency services had previously warned that the closure could last about 12 hours, complicating travel plans for many motorists that day.
During interviews with witnesses, one man named Alexey described being near the epicenter of the crash. He recalled being momentarily trapped and noted that his own car remained relatively intact thanks to tall piles of snow shielding it on the right side. He said the collision area ahead was severe, with roughly 20 vehicles involved. He observed that two vehicles behind him were badly damaged and beyond repair.
Alexey added that the Ministry of Emergency Situations set up a field camp at the scene around 3:00 p.m. A bus was sent to provide warmth, followed by tents and the organization of food and hot drinks. He did not mention any restroom facility on site.
He described the road conditions as dangerous and slippery, with a top layer of snow and a slick icy base. He and his wife traveled at about 90 km/h, but the conditions did not permit safe slowing or stopping. He stressed that the road itself did not fail, and there were no visible signs of ongoing precipitation at that moment, yet the surface remained treacherously slick.
At the scene, participants began sharing dash camera footage. Officials indicated that many involved would spend several more hours at the site while authorities arranged towing for vehicles stranded in the main pile-up. Numerous participants had already reported to traffic police for official documentation.
Tributes were offered to the family of the deceased driver. Relatives described a scene where the victim was crushed under a truck, and two children who managed to escape sought their mother’s help only to learn she could not be saved. The event occurred on a Sunday when people were returning home, according to Alexey, as reported by the Investigative Committee of the Novgorod Region.
By evening, Avtodor announced that traffic was partially reopened at the 330-kilometer toll plaza for vehicles traveling from Moscow. Visibility toward St. Petersburg remained limited, with limited movement in some stretches and at times only a single car passing at a time, as stated in an Avtodor press briefing.
The Investigative Committee of the Novgorod Region opened a procedural check into the mass crash and later announced the initiation of a criminal case under Article 238 of the Criminal Code, concerning the provision of services that fall short of safety standards, according to the same source.
Additional reports indicated other incidents on the M-11 and M-10 corridors, further delaying travel for those attempting to cover long distances in a single day. In multiple zones, road clearing was incomplete, and long traffic jams stretched across multiple sections between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Drivers faced detours or waited for the shutdown to end. Eyewitnesses noted that the Neva highway remained crowded despite the congestion and that some travelers were directed to use an emergency exit onto the M-10 corridor, according to regional traffic authorities.