A 20-year-old Tesla driver escaped punishment for a fatal accident in Zakarpattia.

The Vynogradiv District Court found Mykhailo Kopynets, a resident of the village of Trosnyk, guilty of violating traffic rules that resulted in the death of a victim. For causing the accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old pedestrian, the Tesla driver was sentenced to 5 years in prison; however, the actual term was commuted to 3 years of probation.

The verdict was delivered on December 17. This case pertains to a traffic accident that occurred at night on June 12 in the village of Pidvynogradiv in the Berehiv district. Mykhailo Kopynets, driving at a speed exceeding 80 km/h, struck a local resident who was crossing the road. The woman died at the scene due to multiple injuries.

During the court hearing, the driver admitted his guilt and explained that he was traveling on an unlit section of the road and did not have time to brake when he saw the pedestrian. Mykhailo Kopynets acknowledged that he exceeded the permissible speed and noted that the victim was wearing dark clothing. The court considered that the driver compensated the sister of the deceased for the damages, and she had no claims against the accused.

After reviewing all the case materials, Judge Volodymyr Lenyo found Mykhailo Kopynets guilty of violating traffic rules that resulted in the victim's death and sentenced him to 5 years in prison. The court commuted the actual term to 3 years of probation.