Malatya court sentences driver to 40 years for fatal accident

A court in Malatya has sentenced a driver, identified as N. S., to a total of 40 years in prison for the deaths of two teenagers. The sentence follows a legal battle where the local court resisted a reversal from the Supreme Court of Appeals.

The incident occurred on December 20, 2022, on the Malatya-Ankara highway. The driver lost control of a light commercial vehicle, striking 18-year-old Şemsettin Karadağ and 17-year-old Hivan Taşkıner as they were walking on a sidewalk. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a dormitory garden wall.

Lawyers for the victims' families alleged that the driver was under the influence of drugs and was traveling at 108 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. The court convicted the defendant of murder with ‘possible intent’ (olası kastla adam öldürme), awarding 20 years for each victim. Despite the Supreme Court's previous decision to overturn the initial ruling, the Malatya 2nd High Criminal Court maintained its stance, upholding the 40-year sentence and ordering continued detention.