Expert examination does not confirm forged licence in Apšupe crash case
An expert examination did not confirm that the UAE-issued driving licence of the Indian national charged over the Apšupe crash was forged, so the prosecutor dropped that charge. The defendant has admitted guilt for the collision in which a bus driver lost both lower legs.
A document examination has not confirmed that the driving licence of Indian national Jatinder Singh was forged. He is on trial in Latvia over a road accident in Jaunbērze parish, Dobele municipality, that injured bus passengers and the driver, news agency LETA reported. The prosecutor has dropped the charge of using a forged licence, while the charge of violating traffic rules remains.
What the examination found
The court was told that the expert opinion concluded that the original content of the licence, issued in the United Arab Emirates, had not been altered and that it possibly matches the established template. Prosecutors had earlier alleged that Singh bought a forged UAE-style licence from an unidentified person and later used it. The defendant fully admitted guilt regarding the circumstances of the accident but denied the charge relating to lacking the right to drive.
Circumstances of the crash
According to the prosecution, Singh, born in 1990, was driving a Volvo FH lorry with a semi-trailer, both with Lithuanian plates, on an icy road in darkness in February. He ignored a warning sign indicating that a "no onward travel without stopping" sign was 300 metres ahead, did not reduce speed and did not stop, continuing at about 50 km/h. At a junction he collided with a scheduled bus heading to Liepāja.
One bus passenger suffered moderate injuries. Another passenger and the bus driver suffered serious injuries; the driver had both lower legs traumatically amputated.
Compensation
Singh previously admitted guilt in court and accepted the compensation claims. The victims had demanded 150,000 euros. One victim has withdrawn her claim for recovery from the defendant, having already received compensation under the compulsory motor third-party liability insurance law. The next court hearing is scheduled for 15 October at 14:30.
