Driver with 10 Traffic Fines Charged in Fatal Kyiv Crash

Deadly Accident in Kyiv

According to Главком: Authorities have charged Pavlo Pleshivtsev in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred on June 5, 2026, in Kyiv. The crash claimed the lives of four people, including two police officers, a woman, and a 12-year-old boy. The driver faces up to 10 years in prison for serious traffic violations.

Details of the Incident

The collision happened around 5:00 PM at the intersection of Umanska and Ivan Svitlychny streets in the Solomianskyi district. Pleshivtsev, born in 1976 and a resident of the Kherson region, was driving a Mercedes-Benz when he exceeded the speed limit, left the roadway, and crashed into an underground pedestrian crossing. Four pedestrians died, and three others sustained injuries.

The driver was also hurt but his injuries are not life-threatening. He is currently in police custody at a hospital. According to officials, Pleshivtsev was sober at the time of the accident. However, since January 2025, he had been fined five times for speeding and five more times for other traffic violations-totaling 10 fines in just 1.5 years.

His actions have been classified under Article 286, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Prosecutors have requested pretrial detention without the option of bail. The Prosecutor General's Office stated,

“under the procedural supervision of juvenile prosecutors from the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, a 49-year-old driver has been notified of suspicion for violating traffic safety rules, resulting in the deaths of four people.”

Pavlo Pleshivtsev also serves as the head of an Evangelical Christian Baptist community at the Church in the village of Pidstepne. Notably, he had been involved in four prior recorded accidents, two of which occurred in 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a ban from driving for up to three years.

This tragedy highlights a serious road safety issue in Ukraine, where traffic violations frequently lead to devastating outcomes. Given Pleshivtsev’s history of offenses, this case may spark discussions on stricter enforcement and accountability for drivers who ignore the rules. The investigation could also shape public views on road safety and the need for better infrastructure to protect pedestrians.

The tragic event has raised questions about road safety in Kyiv, particularly in light of previous incidents involving reckless driving. For a detailed account of another fatal accident where a Mercedes driver crashed into an underground passage, resulting in the loss of four lives, you can read more here.