Erdal Altunel, who was arrested after the fatal accident in Girne, was brought to court again yesterday, while the other driver, Mohd Sabet Said, was released.
Police sergeant Nadir Timuçin, on duty at the Girne Traffic Branch, reported the facts in court. Timuçin said in his testimony:
“On 01.02.2023, at 23:15, the vehicle with license plate JL 777 under the direction of Erdal Altunel (E-39) was driving under the influence of 169 mlg of alcoholic beverages on Bedrettin Demirel Street in Kyrenia, moving towards the east in the double-lane road. As a result of the carelessness of the driver, the pedestrian who was crossing the pedestrian crossing in the North-South direction at that time collided with Birsen Güleş (K-46), causing him to be thrown 26 meters. The pedestrian, who was thrown as a result of the impact, hit the front of the vehicle with license plate KE 676 under the direction of Mohd Sabet Said (E-31), which was carelessly moving towards the west on the street while falling on the opposite lane of the road. Birsen Güleş, who was seriously injured as a result of the accident, passed away. After the accident, Erdal Altunel fled the scene. The vehicle in the use of the suspect was detected from the Mobese cameras. Subsequently, after it was determined that the suspect was driving the vehicle, the suspect came to the police an hour and a half after the accident and surrendered. Erdal Altunel and Mohd Sabet Said were brought before the court the previous day and an order for their detention was received for one day. During this time, Birsen Güleş's autopsy was performed. In the autopsy, it was determined that Birsen Güleş had received the fatal blow at the moment of the first impact and died. For this reason, the driver named Mohd Sabet Said was released after his statement was taken. In addition, statements were taken from 4 people in one day, and the house of the suspect Altunel was searched. The investigation into the accident continues. There are security cameras to be examined and statements to be taken. During the investigation phase, I request that the suspect be detained for 4 more days.”
Evaluating the facts, the court ordered the suspect to be detained for 4 days.
