Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
This is the moment a banned driver fatally hits a teenage girl in the middle of a dual carriageway while hosting a live stream and then flees the scene.
The incident took place on Homeros Boulevard in the district of Buca in the western Turkish province of Izmir on 10th July.
According to the news site Yeni Asir, Aysel Canpolat, 16, who was trying to cross the road at the time, was hit by a car driven by Ercan Karadag.
Due to the impact, Aysel was left seriously injured on the ground while Karadag, age not disclosed, reportedly fled the scene.
Other road users helped the injured teen and took her to the Health Sciences University (SBU) Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital.
However, despite the best efforts of doctors, the girl succumbed to her injuries.
After the accident, the police launched an investigation to determine the car’s license plate and catch the motorist.
When the police discovered that the suspect was living in the district of Bayrakli through the License Plate Recognition System (PTS), officers arrested him at his home.
It was determined that Karadag’s driving license was confiscated four months previously for drink-driving.
The suspect was charged and released on bail, according to the police.
Reports said the accident occurred while Karadag was broadcasting live from his social media account while driving at the same time.
The live-streamed footage shows the moment his vehicle struck Aysel before he apparently continued on his way without stopping.
Netizens, angered by the release of the suspect under judicial control, launched a campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #ErcanKaradagTutuklansin (detain Ercan Karadag).
One netizen wrote: “This is a murder. If that isn’t deliberately causing death, what is?”
Another online commentator wrote: “The girl may have made a mistake trying to cross the carriageway, but that’s no excuse for the guy to hit and run. The motorist should definitely be punished.”
The investigation continues.
