Driver accused of causing Radishanska crash that killed a motorcyclist reportedly fled the scene

A 46-year-old man from Skopje has been charged with two criminal offences after a traffic collision on Radishanska Street that left a 19-year-old motorcyclist dead and the suspected driver reportedly fled the scene.

Prosecutor: left turn without yielding triggered the chain of events

The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje says the suspect is being prosecuted for Serious offences against traffic safety and for failure to render assistance following the crash, which occurred on 7 August around noon. The victim, 19-year-old Nikola Makrachevski, was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle and struck another car — not the Seat Altea driven by the accused.

The prosecution's account states that on 7 August, around midday, the accused was driving a Seat Altea along Radishanska Street. At the intersection with 18 Street, where traffic is not regulated by signs, he turned left without yielding to vehicles coming from the opposite direction and thereby cut across the path of the Kawasaki approaching from that side. To avoid a direct collision with the car, Makrachevski steered his motorcycle to the left, crossing into the lane for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction, and collided with another vehicle.

“However, there the front part of the motorcycle struck directly the Alfa Romeo coming from the opposite direction. From the force of the impact the motorcyclist Nikola Makrachevski was thrown out, fell onto the carriageway and sustained serious bodily injuries from which he died, while the driver of the Alfa Romeo suffered minor injuries. The accused, instead of providing assistance to the injured, left the scene of the accident,” the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office – Skopje said.

The offences the prosecution has charged carry prison terms of 1 to ten years for causing a traffic accident with fatal consequences, and three months to five years for failure to render assistance. Prosecutors say the crash was caused by the negligence of the driver who is now under suspicion.

Authorities have proposed precautionary measures against the suspect including a ban on leaving his place of residence, an obligation to report to the court, and the temporary confiscation of his travel document and driver's licence. Initial reports indicate the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and the motorcycle was unregistered. A similar accident two months ago also claimed the life of a 19-year-old motorcyclist; that case remains under investigation.

Photo: press material from the event