Driver who caused the death of 2 people in Ankara sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in prison

The defendant, who was on trial for causing the deaths of a math teacher and a university student by speeding and hitting them while they were standing on the sidewalk in Ankara while driving under the influence of alcohol, has been sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in prison.

At the hearing held at the Ankara 3rd West High Criminal Court, the detained defendant Mehmet Can Dandin (25), Gözde Sert (31), the wife of the math teacher Ekin Sert who lost his life in the accident, and her family, the family of university student Umut Can (24), and the lawyers for both sides were present. The presiding judge gave the floor to the complainant İbrahim Can, the father of the deceased Umut Can. Stating that the reason his son is no longer alive is irresponsibility, Can said, "There is no element for a sentence reduction. He gets behind the wheel in a senseless state. The only place that will alleviate our pain is justice. We cannot find any meaning in the release of someone whose crime is proven, or in their request for release. The state must stand by the righteous and the oppressed. We demand that the defendant be punished in the most severe way possible."

Gözde Sert, the wife of the deceased Ekin Sert, said the following:

"We cannot just call the death of a person walking on the sidewalk 'fate.' I cannot continue my life. I want him not to kill others as well. I will always feel incomplete for the rest of my life. I ask you to give the most severe sentence."

The presiding judge stated that they would reach a verdict and asked the defendant Dandin for his final statement.

"I WISH I HAD DIED"

Defendant Dandin claimed that the tragic event was an accident and said, "If it were in my hands, I would have killed myself. I wish it were me who died instead of them. Prison conditions are bad, I cannot get treatment, I cannot have surgery. If it goes on like this, I will die from neglect too. I trust in your justice, I request my release."

Announcing the verdict, the court sentenced the detained defendant Dandin to 9 years and 4 months in prison for the crime of 'causing the death of more than one person with conscious negligence' and ruled for the continuation of his detention.

On February 26, on 1st TBMM Street in the Etimesgut district, the car with license plate 06 AEG 869, driven by Mehmet Can Dandin, had hit Umut Can, a second-year student at Süleyman Demirel University's Tourism Management Department, and math teacher Ekin Sert, who were walking on the sidewalk. While Can and Sert lost their lives at the scene, driver Mehmet Can Dandin and his 3 friends fled. Dandin, who surrendered to the police 2 days later, was arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, while his 3 friends were released. About 3 months after his arrest, on May 22, Mehmet Can Dandin was released with judicial control measures, including a travel ban and house arrest, after his lawyer's objection was accepted by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace upon payment of a 500 thousand lira bail. The indictment was prepared on May 24, 2 days after Dandin's release. The indictment stated that defendant Dandin had gotten into a rental car after drinking alcohol at a restaurant with his 3 friends, was traveling at 112 kilometers per hour on a road with a 50-kilometer speed limit, lost control of the vehicle due to the winding road and the effect of alcohol, and hit Umut Can and Ekin Sert, who did not know each other, on the sidewalk, causing their deaths. According to the forensic report included in the indictment, it was stated that Dandin was primarily at fault, and the deceased Ekin Sert and Umut Can were faultless. Upon the objection of the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Dandin was re-arrested on June 3.

News Source: 12punto