Shocking footage has emerged from the moment of a devastating traffic accident that occurred in central Athens on Thursday evening (12/3), when a police officer ran a red light and collided head-on with an oncoming motorcycle, resulting in the fatal injury of the 63-year-old rider. The tragedy occurred shortly after 05:30 in the morning at the intersection of Vasilissis Sofias and Akademias streets. A police officer driving an official motorcycle from the Immediate Action unit allegedly ran a red light, resulting in a collision with the unfortunate 63-year-old’s motorcycle.
From the violent collision, both motorcycles were thrown off course, while their riders were dragged across the road surface and into both traffic lanes of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. The 63-year-old, who according to information had not committed any traffic violation, was found severely injured on the asphalt. The man, originally from Aitoloakarnania, was transported to Evangelismos General Hospital, where despite doctors’ efforts, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after 21:00 that same evening.
Vasilissis Sofias accident: “We will exhaust every legal means to reveal the full truth,” says 63-year-old’s family
The show “Developments Now” released shocking documentary footage showing the moment of the violent collision between the two motorcycles. Moreover, the police officer seen in the video violated traffic laws for a second time within just a few seconds. “Our only demand is that justice be served. We will exhaust every legal means to reveal the full truth and bring all responsible parties to justice. Our primary concern is criminal prosecution and exemplary punishment of the responsible driver, whose actions took the life of a young man. We will closely monitor the judicial development of the case to ensure that justice is served in memory of our relative,” the victim’s family stated in their announcement.
“We watched this moment frozen”
Charalampos Kaloudis, lawyer for the 63-year-old victim’s family, spoke to “Developments Now”: “The family itself is coming into contact with audiovisual material for the first time right now, at this moment. We watched frozen as we witnessed the criminal driving of the responsible police officer that resulted in the unjust death of the 63-year-old.
The family is shocked, but they are determined to claim their vindication, and they will claim it where they should. And where they should is in the courts. At this point I would really like to thank you for your interest and for the effort you are making as a show. However, the family wishes to give this ‘battle’ and seek vindication within the competent courts.
Any actions and responses from us will be made institutionally to the competent police and judicial authorities only. However, the complete announcement I have sent mentions the specific thoughts you identified regarding when the eyewitness testimony was taken and in what manner and how this person approached the family, which is truly moving,” he said.
“We are very early in the process for the case file to be closed and reach the point of discussion in the courtroom. We estimate about a year and a half from now. With more testimonies, the case file becomes more complete. However, at this point, because as you understand the case file is still active, I would not like to elaborate further so as not to influence the investigation work,” he continued regarding the estimated time for the case to go to trial.
The police officer was arrested in flagrante delicto for the crimes of “dangerous driving” and “involuntary manslaughter,” while a Sworn Administrative Investigation has also been ordered. On Tuesday, he is expected to give his testimony before the judicial authorities.
