Romanian truck driver sentenced to 12 years for fatal traffic crash

A truck driver from Călărași County was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison for a deadly collision on European route E70 that killed a passenger in a van five years ago. The court also ordered a five‑year driving ban and compensation of 1.7 million lei to the insurance company.

In Bucharest, a police BMW special‑unit vehicle collided with a dump truck at the busy Șoseaua Ștefan cel Mare/Barbu Văcărescu intersection, causing severe traffic jams and prompting police to reroute traffic. No injuries were reported.

Separate police operations across Romania resulted in multiple arrests for driving under the influence, driving without a licence, and vehicle theft. A 51‑year‑old man in Bistrița‑Năsăud was charged after a motorcycle crash revealed a blood‑alcohol level of 1.64 mg/l and lack of a licence. A 17‑year‑old in Supur was detained for stealing a utility vehicle, driving it without a licence and causing an accident on a farm road. A 15‑year‑old in Voitinel fled from police in a UK‑registered Mercedes Sprinter before crashing into a ditch; he also lacked a licence. In Bihor, border police seized a €62,000 Polish‑registered BMW after discovering it was flagged for confiscation by Polish authorities.

These incidents highlight ongoing challenges with traffic safety, illegal driving and enforcement actions throughout Romania.