Two dead after car hits pedestrians on sidewalk in central Brașov

The accident

A Dacia Duster driven by a 50-year-old man struck three pedestrians on the sidewalk of Strada Mureșenilor in central Brașov on Tuesday evening, 11 August, around 21:00. According to IPJ Brașov, the driver was travelling from Strada Lungă toward Strada Mureșenilor when, near the roundabout intersection, he lost control of the vehicle. The Duster mounted the green space of the roundabout and then continued along the right-hand sidewalk of Strada Mureșenilor, where it hit three adult male pedestrians. All three suffered severe injuries. The driver was also injured and transported to a medical facility.

Eyewitness account

An eyewitness at the scene gave a different account of the sequence to Biz Brașov. According to the witness, the Duster had stopped at the roundabout to yield when another car approaching from behind at speed struck it. The impact broke the driver's seat, leaving the driver on his back without visibility, with his hands on the wheel and his foot on the accelerator. The Duster then accelerated along Strada Mureșenilor to the pedestrian crossing and onto the sidewalk, where it struck the three pedestrians. This rear-end collision scenario has not been confirmed by police.

Casualties and emergency response

One pedestrian was declared dead at the arrival of rescue teams. A second pedestrian, found in cardio-respiratory arrest, underwent resuscitation manoeuvres at the scene but did not respond.

“Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of the medical staff and the resuscitation manoeuvres performed, the second victim, who was in cardio-respiratory arrest, did not respond to the manoeuvres and was declared deceased.”

A third pedestrian was unconscious, intubated, and transported to hospital. The driver, the fourth victim, was conscious and was taken to hospital for specialised treatment. ISU Brașov deployed three SMURD teams, one extrication team, one water-and-foam team, and two SAJ ambulances to the scene.

Dead at scene1

Died after resuscitation1

Critical (intubated)1

Driver (hospitalised)1

Dead at scene

1

Died after resuscitation

1

Critical (intubated)

1

Driver (hospitalised)

1

Data from the article text

Victims' nationality

Antena 3 CNN reported that the pedestrians were German citizens. One of the two deceased was a German national, and the third critically injured pedestrian was also German. No further identifying details of the victims were released by authorities.

Investigation

IPJ Brașov stated that all hypotheses are being examined, including the possibility that the driver suffered a medical episode before losing control. The police statement noted that research is ongoing to establish the exact circumstances. The medical-cause hypothesis has not been confirmed and remains under verification. The driver's condition and any potential charges have not been disclosed.