One dangerous overtake - 12 dead: Nissan driver notified of suspicion

The driver of a Nissan Murano has been notified of suspicion of violating traffic rules, which, according to the investigation, caused the death of 12 people and the injury of another 6 people. This was reported on 5 July 2026 by the Mykolaiv Regional prosecutor’s office and the regional police.

The tragedy occurred on 4 July 2026 at around 07:42 on the M-14 “Odesa – Melitopol – Novoazovsk” highway, near the junction with the road to the village of Shchaslyve in Mykolaiv district.

According to the investigation, a 45-year-old resident of another region was driving a Nissan Murano from Odesa toward Mykolaiv. Despite heavy traffic, the driver began to overtake the vehicle ahead and moved into the oncoming lane without ensuring the maneuver was safe.

A passenger Mercedes-Benz 313 CDI was traveling toward them in its lane. Trying to avoid a head-on collision, the minibus driver drove onto the shoulder, lost control, after which the Mercedes overturned, went onto the oncoming lane and collided with a Volvo truck.

After creating the accident, the Nissan driver continued driving. Law enforcement located the crossover and stopped it at the exit from Mykolaiv. The man was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

As a result of the crash the 49-year-old Mercedes driver and 11 passengers were killed. Another 6 people, including a 15-year-old girl, are under the care of doctors in medical facilities in Mykolaiv.

The suspect’s actions have been qualified under part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violation of road safety rules that caused the death of several people. The article’s sanction provides for up to 10 years imprisonment with disqualification from driving vehicles for up to 3 years.

The court is to decide on a preventive measure for the man in the near future. The prosecutor’s office will petition for detention. The pre-trial investigation continues; law enforcement is establishing all the circumstances of the tragedy.

Law enforcement emphasized that this disaster once again demonstrates the deadly danger of reckless overtaking on two-lane roads: the desire to save a few minutes can cost dozens of lives.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the suspect is presumed innocent until his guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.

Earlier we wrote:

• “These 12 deaths are on the conscience of the organizers of healthcare”: Fedorova blamed the Mykolaiv leadership after the crash
• After the Nissan maneuver into the oncoming lane near Mykolaiv, a minibus overturned: 12 dead, the prosecutor’s office opens a case
• Twelve lives were taken by the crash near Mykolaiv: 5 July declared a Day of Mourning
• Nine killed: route Mercedes overturned and crashed into a truck on the Odesa – Mykolaiv highway
• Ford, Skoda and Volkswagen collided in the Mykolaiv region: one person killed