Lawmaker Orest Salamaha Dies in Traffic Accident
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Orest Salamaha has died following a traffic accident in the Lviv region. The collision occurred on the evening of January 25 in the village of Sokilnyky when the ATV he was riding collided with a minibus. Lviv city council member Ihor Zinkevych confirmed the deputy's death.
According to reports, Salamaha, who was on the ATV, veered into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the minibus. The impact damaged the driver's side of the minibus. Medical personnel fought to save Salamaha's life, but he died in the hospital at 8:00 PM. This incident highlights the persistent dangers on Ukraine's roads, which have claimed the lives of other public figures in recent years.
Political Career of the Deceased
Orest Salamaha was a member of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, elected in 2019 as an independent candidate from the Servant of the People party in electoral district No. 121 in the Lviv region. In 2020, he joined the Lviv regional council of the Servant of the People party and became a member of its parliamentary faction. He also served on the Budget Committee. During the 2019 presidential election, he acted as a trustee for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Prior to his political career, Orest worked at Bud Invest Com LLC, holding positions including supply manager, deputy director for construction, and company director.
Orest Salamaha was 34 years old at the time of his death and is survived by three children. The tragic event has provoked a significant public response, with fellow deputies expressing their condolences.
Another terrible death. A colleague, a deputy, a patriot, a decent and reliable person, Orest Salamaha. May he rest in peace. Eternal memory. My condolences to his family.
Danylo Hetmantsev
David Arakhamia also noted, 'Our colleague, father of three children Orest Salamaha, died as a result of the accident. The tragic event happened today, during the dark hours, on a busy section of road near Lviv. Doctors fought for Orest's life until the very end. Sincere condolences to the family. We share the pain and grief of this untimely loss.'
This tragedy is reminiscent of a previous accident on July 24, when MP Yaroslav Rushchyshyn from the Holos faction was killed. He died while being transported to a medical facility after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a tractor.
The death of Orest Salamaha represents another tragic loss for the Ukrainian parliament, underscoring the risks associated with road traffic. The incident has sparked discussions about road safety, particularly during hours of darkness. Events leading to the death of public figures often generate significant public attention and can serve as a catalyst for legislative changes regarding traffic safety.