Police to commence criminal prosecution of a man for lethal hit and run in Pļavnieki

On 9 January 2022, a road accident took place in Riga, A.Saharova Street: three pedestrians, including a 2013-born girl, became victims of a hit and run.
A criminal procedure was commenced. On 11 February police handed materials of the criminal case to the office of the prosecutor for the commencement of criminal prosecution.
On 9 January a Mercedes-Benz hit three pedestrians who were crossing the road on a regulated crossing and then left the scene. The victims were later hospitalised.
An eight year old girl, who was one of the victims of the hit and run, later died from her injuries.
Latvian State Police offer their deepest condolences to the family of the girl and her closest relatives.
Police commenced a criminal procedure.
Police initially detained a 1987-born driver of the Mercedes-Benz. The man was found drunk driving and had no driver’s licence. However, after going though additional evidence, investigators found that the person responsible for the accident was someone else – a 1989-born man. He was detained and promptly put under arrest. Investigators found out he was drunk at the time of the accident and that he does not have a driver’s licence.
After an in-depth investigation and thanks to cooperation with multiple state institutions, the criminal case was handed to the office of the prosecutor for commencement of criminal prosecution in accordance with Part 4 of Section 262 of the Criminal Law: violation of traffic provisions or provisions regarding vehicle operation, if committed by a person operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, and if it results in a serious bodily injury or death of a human being.
The applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a period of three years and up to ten years, with deprivation of the driver’s licence for a period of up to ten years.
Criminal prosecution is also requested in accordance with Part 2 of Section 262.1 of the Criminal Law: leaving the place of road traffic accident after the road traffic accident which resulted in slight, moderate or serious bodily injury or death of a human being.
This crime is punishable is the deprivation of liberty for a period of up to four years or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine, with the deprivation of the driver’s licence for a period of up to seven years.