Indian citizen to be tried for serious accident and forged license

The Zemgale District Court will hear a criminal case on July 24 at 10 a.m. against Indian citizen Jatinder Singh. He is accused of violating traffic regulations, resulting in a severe accident, and of using a forged document.

The accident occurred in February in Jaunbērze parish, Dobele municipality. The accused, who did not have a valid driver's license, was driving a Volvo FH truck with a semi-trailer on an icy road at night. Both vehicles had Lithuanian license plates. He ignored a warning sign indicating 300 meters to a "stop" sign, failed to reduce speed, and did not stop. Instead, he continued at about 50 km/h and entered an intersection, colliding with a bus heading to Liepāja.

One bus passenger sustained moderate injuries, while another passenger and the bus driver suffered severe injuries. The bus driver underwent traumatic amputation of both lower legs.

In addition to the accident charges, the man is accused of purchasing a forged UAE-style driver's license from an unknown person and using it after the crash. When the State Police checked documents, he presented the forged license as genuine.

The accused fully admits fault for the accident circumstances but denies the charge that he did not have the right to drive a vehicle.