Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
The female teen driver who ran over three children on a zebra crossing while she was on her phone, killing two of them, has been crying all week in prison and does not communicate with anyone.
The teen driver who allegedly ploughed into three children on a crossing apparently admitted that she had been on her mobile phone at the time and did not see the children, according to local media.
Valeria Bashkirova, 18, has the support of her fellow cellmates, according to one of them, quoted anonymously in the local Russian media outlet Life.
The cellmate added that Bashkirova does not communicate with anyone, constantly sobs and has refused to eat for a week.
The prisoner added: “We are all seriously afraid that she will do something to herself. For a week now she has been crying at night, and during the day she sits on the bed, covering her face with her hands.
“She does not want to communicate with us, she answers all questions with one phrase: ‘I don’t I know how to live after that.'”
The incident took place on Aviatorov Street in the western Russian city of Moscow on 16th July.
Teen motorist Valeria Bashkirova, aged 18, was driving her Mazda at between 40 and 50 kph when she hit the children, according to local media.
Two children, aged five and three, died in hospital of their injuries while a nine-month-old baby in a stroller suffered a concussion and a closed brain injury.
The baby was discharged from the hospital on 19th July.
The two young victims, both boys, were on a bike and a scooter when the Mazda ploughed into them on the crossing.
It has been confirmed that Bashkirova was not driving under the influence at the time.
After being arrested the day after the incident, Bashkirova was instructed to remain under house arrest for two months as the investigation continues.
Many Russian netizens were left angry that the teenager was not remanded in custody, and the authorities later changed their mind.
At a preliminary hearing on 19th July, Bashkirova was sent to a pre-trial detention centre instead.
If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.
The news site Life said the teen has been left devastated by the incident and barely eats, and is suffering nightmares.
Svetlana Filatova, expert of physiognomy, the practise of assessing a person’s character from their outer appearance, said that the defendant was crying initially in court as well, but kept her chin up when she realised she was being filmed in court.