Truck with driver banned from driving crashes off road on Riga's Ulmaņa gatve

On Monday morning in Riga, on Kārļa Ulmaņa gatve, a truck driver left the roadway and, weaving along a pedestrian path for about 200 meters, crashed into a fence.

According to initial police information, the driver may have suddenly fallen ill. Paramedics were called to the scene but their assistance was not needed. The driver was not found to be intoxicated. Ivo Grāvelsiņš, an inspector with the State Police Riga Pārdaugava Department's Response Division, said the circumstances are still being clarified.

Driver was not licensed to operate the vehicle

Police also determined that the driver was subject to an active ban on driving vehicles, as he had failed to undergo a required medical examination within the set deadline. This means the man behind the wheel at the time of the crash was not legally permitted to drive.

Truck belonged to a Rimi subcontractor

The truck displayed the "Rimi" logo. Inga Bite, head of public relations at Rimi Latvia, explained that the vehicle involved belonged to an outsourced logistics contractor working for the company. No one was injured in the crash, and the truck was carrying only empty packaging at the time. The company, together with the logistics service provider, is continuing to clarify the circumstances in order to ensure safe cargo transport in the future.

According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Latvia (LTAB), the damage caused to infrastructure and to the fence of a multi-story building will be covered by mandatory third-party liability insurance (OCTA), after which insurers plan to seek reimbursement from the driver. The driver will also have to pay out of pocket for damage to his own vehicle. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.