Truck and minibus collision in Chernihiv region: 13 dead, case opened, preliminary cause

Law enforcement detained the truck driver involved in the crash.

On December 7, a truck and a minibus collided in Chernihiv region, killing 13 people. We bring you all the details known to date. 

The State Emergency Service reported: “On December 7, at about 7:55 a.m., a truck collided with the Chernihiv–Sosnytsia route minibus on the N-27 Chernihiv–Hremyach highway. 

Initially, the agency reported 10 dead and seven injured, later 11 dead and eight injured. The Chernihiv Regional State Administration subsequently reported that one more person died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 12. 

Investigative and operational teams, a forensic laboratory, patrol police response groups, rescuers and medics worked at the scene. 

Later on December 7, the State Emergency Service reported 13 dead and six injured in the crash. 

Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi stated that bills “aimed at improving road safety” would be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada before the end of 2021. 

Monastyrskyi did not specify what the bills would cover. In his address, he said police would strictly punish drivers and owners of commercial vehicles who drive on “bald tires” or use wheels with unacceptable defects to save money. 

Denys Monastyrskyi
Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

A terrible tragedy occurred this morning near Chernihiv. At around 8 a.m., the truck driver, violating traffic rules, crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a route bus. As of now, 13 people have died in the crash. Others are in serious condition. This month, at my initiative, bills aimed at improving road safety will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. 

Serhiy Vasylyna, head of the Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, named the preliminary cause of the crash. According to him, weather conditions could have been one of the likely factors. 

“But there are already questions about the condition of the road surface and the services responsible for maintaining the road, as well as the technical condition of the bus,” Vasylyna said. 

He noted that, preliminarily, given the circumstances of the crash, the truck skidded into the oncoming lane, where it collided with the minibus. 

The Office of the Prosecutor General reported that police opened a case over the crash under Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Violation of road safety or operation of transport by persons driving vehicles, resulting in the death of several people). 

The article provides for imprisonment of five to ten years, with deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for up to three years. 

December 8 has been declared a day of mourning in Chernihiv region for those killed in the crash. In memory of the victims, state flags will be lowered at buildings of state authorities, local self-government bodies, state enterprises, institutions and organizations across the region. 

All institutions and organizations, regardless of ownership, are recommended to cancel entertainment events on this day. 

The National Police reported that law enforcement detained the truck driver involved in the crash. Preliminary information indicates that the scheduled bus was travelling toward the regional center.

A truck driven by a 44-year-old resident of Chernihiv district was heading toward it. On a stretch of road between the villages of Snovianka and Kyselivka, the truck driver lost control, crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with the bus. 

The truck driver was hospitalized. After receiving medical care, the man was detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. He is currently in a specialized ward under police custody.