Police seek charges against driver in Mērsrags crash that killed boy

Latvian police have recommended charging the driver involved in a road crash in Mērsrags parish that killed a 10-year-old boy, LSM reports. Investigators have sent the criminal case materials to the prosecutor’s office to begin prosecution.

The crash occurred on May 22 at about 11:25 a.m. on the Stende–Lauciene–Mērsrags road in Mērsrags parish, Talsi municipality. A Peugeot driven by a man born in 1961 collided with a bicycle ridden by the boy.

The boy suffered serious injuries and died in hospital the following day.

Police found that the driver had failed to ensure road safety and maintain a safe distance while overtaking the cyclist. Investigators said several traffic regulations had been violated, including requirements to protect other road users, particularly cyclists, to check that a manoeuvre is safe and does not obstruct others, and to maintain a safe passing distance.

The driver was treated as a suspect during the investigation. He had no previous convictions, and police found no alcohol in his breath at the scene.

A traffic violation that causes a person’s death is punishable by up to eight years in prison and the loss of driving rights for up to five years. The court will determine the sentence.