Three people were killed and four hospitalized when a heavy truck with failed brakes plowed into cars and roadside shops in Bulakbashi district of Andijan province, the provincial traffic safety department said on Sunday.
The crash occurred at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday on Konchilar (Miners) Street in the village of Neftchilar (Oilmen), the department said. Preliminary findings indicate the brakes failed on a Howo truck driven by a 48-year-old man.
The truck hit oncoming Chevrolet Cobalt, Nexia, BYD Song Plus and Nexia 2 cars, as well as a Nexia 3, a Damas and a Matiz parked at the roadside. Shops along the road were also damaged. The truck driver and three others were taken to hospital with injuries.
A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 266 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, which covers violations of traffic safety or vehicle operation rules that result in deaths. An investigation is under way.
“A single fault combined with inattention can cost lives,” the department said, urging drivers to pay serious attention to the technical condition of their vehicles and not to drive with faulty brakes.
The department reported the accident almost a day after it happened. Videos showing an overturned truck, spilled soil, damaged cars and wrecked shops had circulated on social media on Saturday evening.
