Bakhmach deputy convicted over cyclist's death in traffic accident

Verdict for tragedy on Baturynska Street

The trial of a local deputy who caused a fatal accident has concluded in the city of Bakhmach in Chernihiv region. The court found Viktor Mishchuk, who held a position in the Bakhmach City Council from the "Ridnyi Dim" faction, guilty of violating road safety rules while intoxicated. He was sentenced to five years and six months of imprisonment. Additionally, the court banned him from driving vehicles for seven years.

Circumstances of the accident

The tragic incident occurred on 18 December 2021, around 20:00, on Baturynska Street. According to police data, Mishchuk was driving a Skoda Octavia while under the influence of alcohol. While driving, he collided with 56-year-old cyclist Viktor Yaremchenko. After the impact, the driver attempted to leave the scene of the accident but lost control of the car and drove into the ditch. The cyclist died while being transported to a medical facility.

Public reaction and investigative actions

Law enforcement officers detained the deputy on the same day, and the following day, 19 December 2021, he was informed of the suspicion. He faced a potential sentence of up to 10 years. On the same day, 20 December, a rally of local residents took place near the premises of the city police department, demanding that the deputy's case not be hushed up.

The Bakhmach District Court selected a preventive measure for Mishchuk on 20 December, detaining him in custody for 60 days without the right to bail. Natalia Slabenyak, the spokesperson for the National Police of the region, stated that after the accident, the deputy categorically refused to undergo a medical examination. Police obtained permission to collect blood and urine samples for analysis only the next day, by court order.

Defendant's position

During the court hearing on 20 December, Viktor Mishchuk denied the fact of his refusal to undergo a medical check-up. He stated:

«У міській лікарні мені ніхто не пропонував кров здавати. Мене привезли, поклали, крапельницю — хто їм забороняв? Беріть ту кров, скільки хочете» (No one asked me to give a blood sample at the city hospital. They brought me in, laid me down, an IV drip—who forbade them? Take that blood, as much as you want).

On 25 January 2022, the Novozavodskyi District Court of the city of Chernihiv released Mishchuk from custody, replacing the preventive measure with round-the-clock house arrest. The verdict for the criminal offence, provided for by Part 3 of Article 286-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, was announced recently.