A major accident with tragic consequences occurred in Sumy region: the drivers of two trucks perished in a fiery crash following a head-on collision
This road traffic incident became one of the largest and most brutal in recent times, leaving behind not only wrecked vehicles but also deep grief in the hearts of local residents. The incident took place on the evening of May 8 on the M-12 highway, which connects the cities of Sumy and Poltava. Around 7:40 p.m., a devastating collision involving three vehicles occurred in this area. According to preliminary information, the cause of the tragedy was a tire blowout on a DAF truck with a semi-trailer heading toward Sumy. The driver lost control of the vehicle, and the truck unexpectedly veered into the oncoming lane, resulting in a head-on collision with another truck — a Volvo FH13 460 with a trailer. The impact caused both trucks to ignite in flames. Besides the destruction of the vehicles, the horrific accident also profoundly affected the lives of the drivers. Both drivers died instantly from the explosion and fire — a young driver of the DAF, born in 1967, and a more experienced driver of the Volvo, born in 1984. They did not have time to even leave their vehicles. Another car, a VAZ-21099, following closely behind the Volvo at high speed, also got caught in the catastrophe zone. Given the speed and the spread of the fire, the car collided with the previously extinguished vehicles. As a result of the crash, the driver and a passenger of this car received injuries of varying severity and were rushed to the nearest medical facilities. However, most injuries in this case proved to be minor compared to the tragedy unfolding at the scene. During the firefighting operation, rescuers from Sumy region used specialized equipment to extract the bodies as part of a large-scale rescue effort. By 9:14 p.m., the fire was localized, and it was fully extinguished by 11:01 p.m. That same day. The primary goal was to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding areas and to save lives. Despite the efforts, however, the two drivers remained under the debris and flames, with no chance of survival. This incident has already been registered in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations. A criminal proceeding has been initiated under Part 3 of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of road traffic safety rules that resulted in fatalities. An investigation is ongoing to determine all the circumstances of this terrible crash. According to official information from police and rescuers, the tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying traffic rules and ensuring road safety. Drivers are urged to be vigilant, responsible, and to adhere to all technical standards, as neglecting these rules can lead not only to personal tragedy but also to harm for other road users. This horrific accident will leave a lasting imprint on the memory of the local community and serve as a lesson for all road users in Sumy region. All drivers are reminded: safety comes first, because a single moment of carelessness can change lives forever.