Boy killed in Mērsrags accident was struck during overtaking manoeuvre

The State Police have released new details about a fatal traffic accident that occurred in May in Mērsrags parish, Talsi municipality, killing an underage cyclist. The investigation found that the collision happened during an overtaking manoeuvre.

What happened

The accident occurred on 22 May at around 11:25 on the local road Stende–Lauciene–Mērsrags. A car, a Peugeot driven by a man, collided with a bicycle ridden by a minor boy. The boy was taken to a medical facility after the crash but died there.

Police at the scene tested the driver's breath for alcohol, and he was found not to be under the influence.

Investigation findings

According to the investigation, the driver, a man born in 1961, was driving a Peugeot Partner along the Stende–Lauciene–Mērsrags road, heading from Ķipatciems towards Mērsrags. While overtaking the cyclist, who was travelling in the same direction, the driver failed to maintain a safe distance and did not ensure it was safe to pass, resulting in the car striking the bicycle.

The driver has since been granted suspect status in the case. He has no prior criminal record.

Possible penalty

Under Latvia's Criminal Law, violating traffic or vehicle operation rules in a way that causes a person's death is punishable by up to eight years' imprisonment, along with a driving ban of up to five years. The court will determine the final sentence.