A day after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of two children at Durres Hospital, the pain remains strong. As family members, relatives and citizens prepare to say their final goodbyes to the little ones, new details are coming to light.
Investigations have revealed that the driver of the vehicle, Nikoll Radaçi, was intoxicated at the time of the accident. After hitting the children, the vehicle only stopped after colliding with a vehicle parked near the bar. Radiçi fled the scene, but was later caught by blue uniforms.
At the police station, after his intoxication had passed, he expressed remorse and stated that he did not remember anything from the moment of the accident.
Records show that he had previously had his driving license suspended for a month and was fined for violating traffic rules. There is no speed limit on this road.
Residents of the area describe the suspected perpetrator as a problematic driver, as well as other individuals, raising concerns about the lack of control and security on the streets of the neighborhoods.
Residents are calling for stronger measures against drivers who drive while intoxicated, but also more attention to creating safe spaces for children.
FULL POLICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Durrës/Final information on the very serious road accident that occurred on 03.05.2026, at around 14:10, on “Ohri” street, neighborhood no. 15, in the city of Durrës.
Judicial Police officers, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office, at the conclusion of the first investigative actions carried out at the scene and with the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident, arrested citizen NR, 57 years old, resident of neighborhood no. 15, Durrës, in flagrante delicto.
From the entirety of the investigative actions, it resulted that citizen NR, driving the "Mercedes-Benz ML" type vehicle, is suspected of having lost control of the vehicle and as a result the vehicle went off the road, hitting three children aged 8, 10 and 12.
As a result of the accident, minor citizens EM, 12 years old, and KN, 10 years old, lost their lives.
While the other minor, 8 years old, after receiving first aid at the Durrës Regional Hospital, was transported for specialized treatment to the Trauma Hospital, Tirana.
The driver of the vehicle, after the accident, left the scene, claiming that he was afraid of the reaction of citizens, but was found by the Police patrol, which accompanied him to the Durrës Local Police Directorate.
The alcohol test showed that citizen NR was driving the vehicle while intoxicated: the first test was 0.73 mg/l and the second test was 0.70 mg/l. A blood sample was also taken for toxicological examination.
From the initial investigative actions, it is suspected that the cause of the accident was loss of control over the vehicle, as a result of driving while intoxicated.
Also, verifications of the driver's history show that this citizen has previously been punished for violating road traffic rules, specifically for wrongful overtaking, in 2020, and for speeding, twice, with a 1-month suspension of his driving license, in 2022.
The procedural materials were transferred to the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Durrës, for the criminal offenses of "Violation of road traffic rules", resulting in the death of two people, "Driving a vehicle in an irregular manner" (while intoxicated) and "Leaving the scene of an accident".
The State Police expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the minors who lost their lives, and wished the 8-year-old boy a speedy recovery.
It also invites citizens to cooperate with the Police to prevent road accidents, by identifying and punishing violators of the rules that bring serious consequences to the life and health of citizens.