Indian national gets six years in prison for serious crash at Apšupe junction

The Zemgale District Court in Dobele today found Indian citizen Jatinder Singh guilty of causing a serious road accident at the Apšupe junction in Jaunbērze parish, Dobele municipality, Latvia. He was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for five years. Parties to the case may appeal the ruling within ten working days from the date the full judgment becomes available.

What happened at the junction

According to the case, in February 2026 Singh, born in 1990, was driving a Volvo truck with a semi-trailer on an icy road in the dark. At the Apšupe junction he ignored a warning sign, did not reduce speed or stop, and crossed the junction at about 50 km/h. He collided with a public bus travelling toward Liepāja.

One female bus passenger suffered moderate injuries. Another passenger and the bus driver suffered serious injuries, and the driver had both legs amputated.

Compensation

The court partially upheld the victims' claims for non-material damage. One victim was awarded 30,000 euros and another 60,000 euros, while no compensation was set for the remainder of the claims. In total, the victims had demanded 150,000 euros from the defendant. One victim withdrew the claim for compensation because they had already received payment under compulsory motor third-party liability insurance.

Charge over the licence

Prosecutors originally also charged Singh with buying and using a forged driving licence of the United Arab Emirates type. The prosecutor later dropped that charge after a document technical expert examination concluded that the original content of the licence issued in the UAE had not been altered and that it possibly matched the established format.

Singh fully admitted guilt regarding the circumstances of the accident, but did not admit the charge concerning not having the right to drive.