A devastating traffic accident claimed the life of a seven-year-old child early Monday morning in the village of Mengël, located along the busy Elbasan-Librazhd highway.
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| On the left Petri Bozo sitting on the sofa in a television studio and on the right the scene where the car accident that hit the 7-year-old occurred, source: Albanian Police |
The Incident
According to preliminary reports from local authorities, the young victim was struck by a vehicle while navigating the area near the school where they studied. The impact proved fatal, and despite immediate emergency responses, the minor succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the collision.
The State Police swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the perimeter and manage traffic flow on the heavily congested national axis.
High-Profile Driver Detained
Police sources have confirmed that the vehicle involved was driven by 61-year-old P.B., widely identified by Albanian media as well-known director and producer Petri Bozo.
Bozo is a prominent figure in the Albanian entertainment industry, famously known for organizing the national "Miss Globe" beauty pageants. He is also the son of Luljeta Bozo, a highly respected engineer, professor, and former Member of Parliament for the Socialist Party.
Following the crash, Petri Bozo was immediately escorted to the local police station. Authorities are holding him for questioning and conducting further procedural actions to determine his legal liability.
Official Police Statement: "Around 08:00 AM, on the 'Elbasan-Librazhd' road axis, in the village of Mengël, a vehicle driven by citizen P. B., 61 years old, collided with a minor citizen, approximately 7 years old. As a result of the collision, the minor has passed away. The driver has been escorted to the police premises for further actions."
Investigation Underway
An investigative team, alongside traffic dynamics experts, remains at the site in Mengël. They are working to reconstruct the scene and uncover the exact circumstances and causes that led to the tragedy.
Initial focus points for the investigation include:
- Vehicle Speed: Assessing whether the vehicle was exceeding the speed limit designated for school zones.
- Road Infrastructure: Evaluating pedestrian crossings, signage, and visibility on the Elbasan-Librazhd segment.
- Driver Distraction: Reviewing the driver's responsiveness at the time of impact.
Local residents have frequently raised alarms regarding the dangers of the Elbasan-Librazhd highway, noting that high speeds and a lack of secure pedestrian overpasses put local school children at constant risk.
Further updates from the Elbasan Prosecutor's Office are expected as the formal investigation progresses.