A resident of Dubrovytsia evaded punishment for causing a fatal car accident while driving without a license.

The Dubrovytsia District Court has issued a verdict against Maria Lushchik for causing a fatal traffic accident. The accused drove a Toyota Avensis onto the sidewalk and struck a woman. The victim succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. It turned out that the driver did not have a license to operate a vehicle. For her actions, she was sentenced to three years probation.

According to the verdict dated November 20, the accident occurred on March 21, 2024, on Myru Street in the city of Dubrovytsia, Sarny District. Around 5:30 PM, while attempting to park her Toyota Avensis near the “Lyonok” store, the driver veered onto the sidewalk and hit a local resident. The victim later died from her injuries in the hospital.

During the court proceedings, Maria Lushchik admitted her guilt. She explained that on March 21, she met a friend and asked to drive his car since she was learning to drive and needed to take a test. He agreed, and the pair headed towards the “Aurora” store at a speed of about 20-30 km/h. According to the accused, when she entered the parking lot, the car started rolling backward, prompting her to press the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to abruptly move onto the sidewalk where a woman was standing at that moment. As a result of the collision, the victim sustained injuries and soon died in the hospital. Maria Lushchik expressed deep regret for her actions and compensated the deceased's family for the material damages incurred.

The daughter of the deceased requested that the criminal proceedings be conducted without her presence. She indicated that she had no claims of a material or moral nature against the accused and asked for a punishment that did not involve imprisonment.

Judge Iryna Oboronova found Maria Lushchik guilty under part 2 of Article 286 (violation of traffic rules resulting in the death of a victim) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, but she was exempted from the main punishment and sentenced to three years probation. The decision can still be appealed in the appellate court.