The 41-year-old garbage truck driver was charged with unintentionally causing a fatal accident. While reversing, he hit a 94-year-old resident of Białystok. The court postponed the trial and referred the case to mediation. The deceased's relatives want compensation and compensation.
The tragedy occurred on June 20 last year around 9 a.m. on a residential street at ul. Bema in Białystok. A 94-year-old woman was fatally struck by a 41-year-old garbage truck driver who was reversing.
The man defended himself by not seeing the senior. However, experts found that the pedestrian did not contribute to the accident. Investigators accused the 41-year-old of not being particularly careful, which resulted in him unintentionally violating safety rules in land traffic.
Investigator: if he didn't see it, he should ask his colleagues for help
The accident investigators assessed that if the driver did not see what was happening behind the car, he should have asked his co-workers for help.
They also determined that the garbage truck's brakes did not work properly, operating fluids were leaking, and the tires were of different sizes and designs. However, this had no influence on the accident.
The deceased's relatives want compensation and compensation
On Thursday, December 5, the parties met in the courtroom. However, the criminal trial did not start because the Białystok district court – with the approval of both parties – referred the case to mediation. It could help, among others: reach an agreement on financial claims. The prosecutors in the case are the deceased's relatives, they want the perpetrator of the accident to pay compensation and compensation.
– I think that mediation would be a platform to talk and try to find a consensus and consider satisfying the claims of the injured women – said attorney Jowita Grochowska, the defendant's defender, in the courtroom.
Driver's defender: feels great trauma and remorse
However, she later told journalists that although the circumstances of the case do not raise any doubts, the case is very difficult for her client.
– To this day he feels great trauma and remorse that this happened, although – even the expert's opinion shows – that the car is designed in such a way that people cannot be seen (behind the vehicle). He should have the support of people who should run him, but he didn't have it then, she emphasized.
The amount of claims is high, there is no request for voluntary submission to punishment
She admitted that she considered submitting an application for voluntary submission to punishment, but decided against it, taking into account the amount of financial claims. She also emphasized that the possible verdict may depend on whether and what settlement the parties participating in the proceedings with the participation of a mediator reach.
The trial was postponed indefinitely.
Main photo source: TVN24