SUV driven by psychologist claims the lives of four young people

In a traffic accident that occurred on the evening of February 2 on the D-400 highway in the Akdeniz district of Mersin, an SUV driven by psychologist Melis Kuş lost steering control while attempting to overtake a vehicle and struck pedestrians who were trying to cross the road. In the accident, twin sisters Kübra and Büşra Güney (15), Nejla Öztürk (16), and Zehra Serdil Atak (18) were severely injured. Medical teams arriving at the scene determined that three of the cousins had died at the scene. Büşra Güney, who was injured in the accident, lost her 18-day battle for life in the hospital.

Burkan Acar (21) and Yunus Bagı (35), who survived with injuries, were taken under treatment at the hospital. Driver Melis Kuş was taken into custody immediately after the accident, referred to the courthouse, and arrested.

“MY CHILDREN’S DREAMS WERE CUT SHORT”

Mahmut Güney, the father of the twins who lost their lives, expressed his grief with the words, “I was at home at the time of the incident. I had spoken to my daughters ten minutes earlier; they said, ‘We are on the road, we are coming.’ They had dreams, now everything is over. I am filing a complaint; I want her to receive the heaviest sentence.”

Hava Öztürk, who lost her daughter Nejla in the accident, recounted her loss through tears, saying, “I lost my son four months before the accident, and now my daughter. I have no one left; I want justice.”

Hatice Güney Atak, who lost her daughter, stated that when she arrived at the scene, the children were on the ground, saying, “They were very well-mannered, successful children. I am filing a complaint; I demand that the heaviest sentence be given.”

DEFENSE OF THE DRIVER AND REPORT DETAILS

The expert report prepared regarding the accident stated that driver Melis Kuş was primarily at fault, while the pedestrians had no fault. According to the report, on a road with a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour, it was determined that Kuş was driving the vehicle at approximately 149 kilometers per hour and did not act in accordance with road conditions.

In her defense to the court, driver Melis Kuş stated, “I was traveling from Tarsus towards Mersin. I panicked when a truck hit my vehicle and I lost control. When I opened my eyes, my vehicle was overturned on the median. I do not remember hitting the pedestrians. My speed was around 70-80 kilometers; I pressed the brake to the floor. I am very sorry, I did not do it on purpose. If I had seen the pedestrians, I would have driven under the truck,” she said.

Burkan Acar, who was injured in the accident, described the moment of the incident, saying, “I had gotten off the minibus and was waiting to cross the road. The children were in front of me. Suddenly, a vehicle hit us; I could not get out of bed for two months and my foot was left disabled. I am filing a complaint against the defendant.” The injured Yunus Bagı also declared that he was filing a complaint against the defendant.

In the indictment prepared by the public prosecutor within the scope of the investigation, a prison sentence of up to 22.5 years was requested for Melis Kuş for “causing the death and injury of more than one person.”

The court decided to conduct an on-site inspection at night and to await the forensic medical report regarding the injured, ruling that the trial would continue in September. The defendant remains in custody.