Crash that killed 12 in Mykolaiv region: Nissan driver’s case sent to court
The accused faces up to ten years in prison
A pre-trial investigation into a road accident near the village of Shchaslyve in Mykolaiv Oblast, which killed 12 people and injured another 6 to varying degrees, has been completed. The indictment against the Nissan driver, who, according to investigators, created a dangerous situation and fled the scene, has been sent to court for consideration on the merits.
The accident occurred on July 4, 2026, on the M-14 “Odesa — Melitopol — Novoazovsk” highway near Shchaslyve. Investigators established that while overtaking, the Nissan driver created a dangerous situation for an oncoming Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz driver tried to avoid a head-on collision and drove onto the shoulder. The vehicle overturned there, then moved uncontrollably into the oncoming lane and collided with a Volvo truck.
According to police, the Nissan driver fled the scene. Law enforcement officers located him and detained him under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Police investigators in Mykolaiv Oblast notified the man that he was suspected of violating Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — a breach of traffic safety rules that resulted in the deaths of several people.
The court ordered the driver held in custody without the right to bail. During the hearing on the preventive measure, the man pleaded not guilty.
Procedural oversight of the pre-trial investigation was carried out by the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office. If convicted as charged, the driver faces up to 10 years in prison and disqualification from driving.
Under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Police.
We previously reported:
- Wife of Nissan driver asks eyewitnesses to help clarify fatal crash near Mykolaiv
- “He kept trying to overtake cars”: 15-year-old Alona recounts the final moments before the fatal crash
- Metal rod pierced her leg: police rescue girl after fatal crash
- Crash near Mykolaiv claims twelve lives: July 5 declared a day of mourning
- Fatal crash on the Odesa–Mykolaiv highway: overtaking cost a Kia passenger their life
