Child Injured by Sofia 'Killer' Taxi Cab Dies

The six-year-old girl, who was injured in the horrific crash on Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd in Sofia in the evening of July 10, has passed away.

Elena was listed at St Anna hospital in critical condition with a head trauma and a rupture of the intestinal tract. Doctors monitored the child's condition round-the-clock.

Doctors said that Elena's condition was very serious and did not yet allow the planned surgery of her legs.

The mother, who was also injured in the crash, has been stabilized.

The serious traffic accident occurred around 8:20 pm on Wednesday, July 10, at the bus stop in front of the "The Mall" shopping center on Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd.

A taxi cab heading for the city center suffered a flat tire, spun out of control, and rammed into a bus stop full of people, leaving 12 injured. The driver had been speeding, according to traffic police.

He was detained by the police. The prosecution has already pressed charges against him. He will have to remain in custody, the Sofia City Court ruled on Saturday.

A woman aged 25 died in hospital after the horrific crash. She was taken to the St Anna hospital with a cervical fracture and doctors were unable to save her.

In addition to the child and the mother, two other people were in hospitals in serious condition.
It also emerged that the taxi cab driver who caused the crash had seven citations for traffic violations.

In 1998, the driver, Mihail Kurtev, had been caught and convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol. He has been penalized by a fine and a temporary revocation of his driver's license.

Other violations include expired documents and parking violations.

All sanctions against Kurtev have expired due to prescription and by 2011 – 2012 he has been an impeccable driver without any new penalties and all fines paid and punishments served.

The results from the blood test confirmed suspicions of DUI and the finding of the Breathalyzer administered Wednesday evening. They registered close to 2 per mille alcohol level.

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