A 21-year-old driver with only five months of driving experience caused a fatal collision near Mezdra that killed two teenagers riding a moped, according to police and eyewitness accounts cited in multiple reports.
The accident occurred between Mezdra and the village of Bodenets, when a BMW reportedly entered the oncoming lane and struck the moped head-on. The victims were 17-year-old Ivan and his 16-year-old girlfriend Joanna, who were returning from Vratsa at the time of the crash.
Further reading: Bulgaria: Two Teenagers Dead After 19-Year-Old BMW Driver Enters Opposite Lane and Kills Them
Authorities confirmed that the driver passed alcohol and drug tests, but investigators noted that he had received his driving license only in January and had a very limited driving history. According to initial police information and media sources, the road section has a speed limit of around 40 km/h, while excessive speed is being considered as a possible factor.
Relatives of the victims described the moments surrounding the tragedy and expressed fears about how the case would be handled. The victim’s mother, Maria Tsolova, said she rushed to the scene after noticing unusual activity. “I am afraid that the case will be hushed up. No one has contacted us yet. I want the young man who was driving the car to bear his responsibility,” she said.
