It currently appears that the collision between a cargo vehicle and an intercity bus in the Dobele region, in the Jaunberze municipality, on the Liepaja highway was caused by the truck driver, who unexpectedly entered the main road. Unfortunately, several people sustained very serious and severe injuries.
A snowstorm, slippery road, and inattention — perhaps this is why on Wednesday at the intersection of the Liepaja highway and the Jelgava–Tukums road, there was a collision between a cargo vehicle and an intercity bus, reports the show Degpunktā (TV3). It is currently known that the truck crossed the intersection, coming from the direction of Jelgava in front of the bus that was traveling on the main road towards Liepaja. The cargo vehicle was struck on the side of the trailer and overturned.
"Fortunately, it is currently known that everyone is alive, but there are seriously injured — the bus driver was very seriously injured," said traffic safety expert from CSDD Oskars Irbitis.
The bus driver sustained several serious injuries, including the amputation of both legs. There were eight passengers on the bus, and medics examined five of them. It is possible that some passengers were not wearing seatbelts, as the injuries are quite serious — multiple traumas, fractures of the pelvis, facial bones, and base of the skull. Two female passengers, including a teenager, despite their injuries, refused hospitalization.
The driver of the cargo vehicle with Lithuanian registration plates was a 35-year-old citizen of India. Unofficial information available to the Degpunktā team indicates that the truck driver was placed in a temporary detention facility. Whether any preventive measure will be applied to him is not commented on by the State Police, indicating that a criminal case has been initiated and the circumstances of the incident are being clarified.
"Yes, unfortunately, this particular intersection is very well known to me as an expert. There have been many tragic traffic accidents here. This issue was attempted to be resolved by installing a speed radar nearby, a zone for average speed control. Despite the fact that the intersection was redesigned, unfortunately, another driver was inattentive, did not notice the approaching bus, and this collision occurred," Irbitis pointed out.
A representative of "Latvijas Valsts ceļi" reported that changes are planned at this intersection — a two-level interchange will be built. The project has already been developed, and this year a procurement for construction works will be announced.
“Degpunktā” contacted representatives of the company "Latvijas Sabiedriskais autobuss", but responses to the questions have not yet been received.
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