The motorcycle driver who struck and abandoned 27-year-old Irene in Thessaloniki, just two days before her wedding, has been sentenced to prison. The Three-Member Court of Appeals imposed a 12-year prison sentence without any mitigating circumstances and without suspension, closing a cycle of judicial agony that lasted 3.5 years for the young woman’s family.
The fatal traffic accident occurred in August 2022, in front of Theagenio Hospital, when the 27-year-old was crossing at a pedestrian crossing. The collision was severe and Irene suffered a serious traumatic brain injury. She was hospitalized for six days in the Intensive Care Unit, but could not survive.
The trial and verdict for Irene
The defendant was allegedly driving without a license, without registration, and without license plates, while initially abandoning his victim. He later returned to the scene, where he was arrested. The court did not recognize any mitigating factors, considering his behavior particularly aggravating.
Irene’s family awaited the verdict with the feeling, as her mother described, that they were experiencing a second funeral. She spoke publicly about her pain and anger, saying that while the verdict is just, it cannot ease the loss.
“Not a motorcycle, you gave him a weapon”
The 27-year-old’s mother particularly emphasized the fact that the defendant showed no trace of remorse. As she mentioned, what infuriated her most was that his father had bought him the motorcycle despite him not having a license. In the courtroom, she addressed the father with the phrase that froze the room, saying he had given him not a motorcycle, but a weapon.
According to her testimony, the young man was driving without a helmet, at high speed and without lights on, while many traffic tickets had been found under his motorcycle seat. Despite the apology made by phone from the defendant’s father, Irene’s mother emphasized that no apology can bring her child back.
