Drunk driver kills 10-year-old niece on bicycle, injures her friend and flees scene in Timiș
A 49-year-old man driving under the influence struck two girls on a bicycle in Gelu, Timiș county, killing his 10-year-old niece and injuring her 11-year-old friend before fleeing; he was arrested with a BAC of 1.33 mg/l.
The accident
On 27 June 2026, around 21:47, two girls were riding a bicycle on the edge of a secondary road in Gelu, a village in Variaș commune, Timiș county. The 11-year-old was pedalling while her 10-year-old friend sat as a passenger. A car driven by a 49-year-old man struck the bicycle from behind, killing the 10-year-old instantly and injuring the older child.
At around 21:47 on 27 June 2026, traffic police were notified of a road accident in the locality of Gelu. Initial investigations showed that a 49-year-old man driving a car on a secondary road in Gelu, from DJ 692C towards the cemetery, at some point sideswiped a bicycle travelling on the edge of the carriageway, ridden by an 11-year-old minor with another 10-year-old minor as a passenger.
Driver’s identity and flight
The driver is the uncle of the 10-year-old victim. Witnesses said he stopped briefly after the impact, then got back into the car and sped away, leaving his niece and her friend on the pavement. Police located him a short time later. A breathalyser test gave a reading of 1.33 mg/l of pure alcohol in exhaled air, well over the legal limit.
Arrest and charges
Following the test, the 49-year-old was detained for 24 hours. He is accused of bodily injury by negligence, manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident without police or prosecutor approval. On Sunday, 28 June, he was due to be presented to the prosecutor’s office for further measures.
When police crews arrived at the scene, it was found that the driver had left the accident site without the permission of the police or the prosecutor. Following rapid checks and activities, officers identified and located the driver, a 49-year-old man. After testing with the breathalyser, a value of 1.33 mg/l pure alcohol in exhaled air was recorded.
Medical response and victim
An ambulance arrived at the scene, but the 10-year-old could not be saved. The 11-year-old was transported to hospital for specialist care. Medics declared the younger girl dead after resuscitation attempts failed.
Possible legal implications
One source reports that if found guilty, the driver could be tried under Legea Anastasia, a Romanian law that removes the possibility of a suspended sentence for certain fatal road offences. The investigation continues.
