What Led to the Arrest of Drivers in Croatia's Fatal Traffic Accident?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two drivers arrested following a fatal accident in Croatia.
- 31 people injured, with 29 hospitalized.
- Potential prison sentences for the drivers could reach three years.
- Incident occurred on the A3 motorway, 60 km southeast of Zagreb.
- Emergency services mobilized swiftly to assist.
Zagreb, May 5 (NationPress) - Authorities have apprehended two drivers implicated in a tragic traffic collision that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 31 others, according to a report from Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT).
The drivers face serious charges, and a criminal investigation is already underway, as reported on Sunday. The consequences of causing a traffic accident with fatal outcomes could lead to a prison term of up to three years, as indicated by Xinhua news agency.
Vjekoslav Stingl, the head of traffic police affairs at the Sisak-Moslavina Police Department, emphasized, “Both drivers bear responsibility for the road traffic accident, and the law imposes a potential prison sentence of three years.”
Both drivers suffered only minor injuries and received clinical care at the Kutina traffic police station situated near the site of the incident.
Local police reported that the collision occurred on the A3 Bregana-Lipovac motorway, specifically between the Popovaca and Kriz junctions, approximately 60 km southeast of Zagreb, at around 3:10 a.m. (0110 GMT) on Sunday. A bus and a passenger vehicle, both registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were involved in the crash.
According to the local daily Jutarnji list, the driver of the passenger vehicle, after crashing into a fence and obstructing the road, exited his car to attempt signaling to oncoming traffic with a flashlight.
Unfortunately, the bus driver, despite maintaining a reasonable speed, failed to notice the obstruction in time and collided with the passenger vehicle. Following the impact, the bus overturned and breached the central guardrail, the report detailed.
Among the injured, 29 individuals were hospitalized due to serious injuries, but thankfully, none are in life-threatening condition, as stated by Croatian Minister of Health Irena Hrstic during a press conference on Sunday.
The Croatian health system has mobilized fully in response to this incident, dispatching nine emergency medical service teams to the scene.
Hrstic expressed heartfelt condolences, stating, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and wish a swift recovery to all those currently receiving treatment in our hospitals.”