Drunk Driver Charged After Kayseri Medical Student's Fatal Crash

On the evening of March 19 in Talas district, Kayseri, a collision occurred between a car driven by Kadir Efe and a motorcycle ridden by medical student Yaren Mercan. The impact threw the motorcycle several meters; Mercan sustained injuries and died the next day in hospital. A police breath test showed Efe had a blood‑alcohol level of 1.05 ‰. The Kayseri prosecutor’s office filed an indictment charging Efe with “causing death by reckless negligence.” During the first hearing at the 25th Criminal Court of First Instance, Efe remained in pre‑trial detention, while Mercan’s family and classmates attended, the latter wearing doctor’s coats in support.

The case remains under investigation, with the court postponing further proceedings to address procedural issues.