Over the weekend, news spread on social media about an accident involving or caused by a well-known musician in Latvia — the driver was behind the wheel in a state of intoxication of over two promille and, judging by the videos taken by eyewitnesses, hit people in another damaged vehicle, reports the program Degpunktā (TV3).
The accident occurred late Saturday evening on Lachplesha Street, clarifies TV3. It was probably a surprise for those in the "Mercedes Benz" to see that Normunds Rutulis was in the other vehicle involved in the collision. It is unknown who filmed the footage of the conversation with the musician that spread online, but it is possible that it was the woman driving the "Mercedes".
Law enforcement officials indicate that the circumstances of the incident and who caused it are currently being investigated.
State Police representative Lina Bagdone reported that one of the drivers was in a state of intoxication of over two promille, which has led to the initiation of a criminal process. An administrative process has also been initiated regarding the traffic accident.
From the video taken after the police arrived, it can be assumed that the driver of the "Cupra" was intoxicated, as he is placed in the detained section of the police vehicle.
On Monday, the program "Degpunktā" spoke with residents of the buildings whose windows faced the accident.
Some of them, of course, are used to the noise and did not pay attention to what was happening, but upon learning who was involved in the collision, they discussed it among themselves. Nearby, at the hotel building, there are surveillance cameras that may assist the investigation as evidence.
"Let's see what the punishment will be. A famous person, in principle, there were news that he performed for unusual individuals. Let's see what the punishment will be — will there be imprisonment, will there be confiscation of the vehicle, will there be all the consequences that are provided for 'ordinary people'. That interests me! He is just like any other person. Well, he got drunk — he got drunk, but it is clear that if you are a publicly known figure, that does not absolve you of responsibility to society," said a local resident.
In Latvia, although the number of drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol decreases annually, it still remains high. Last year, 2,990 such drivers were recorded. Of these, 877 were in a state of severe intoxication — over 1.5 promille. 127 drove under the influence of narcotic substances, and 1,083 had no driver's license at all. It is likely that some of them had their licenses revoked previously for driving while intoxicated.
As reported, the prosecutor's office has charged singer Normunds Rutulis with driving under the influence, as found out by the LETA agency.
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