A resident of Transcarpathia escaped punishment for a fatal hit-and-run involving a minor cyclist.

The Khust District Court found Artem Popik, the manager of the "Foxtrot" store, guilty of violating traffic rules, which resulted in the death of the victim. For the traffic accident that claimed the life of a minor cyclist, the resident of Transcarpathia was sentenced to 2 years of probation. The convicted individual is required to compensate the family of the deceased girl more than 650,000 UAH for the damages caused.

As stated in the court ruling issued on December 17, the accident occurred around noon on July 17, 2020, in the village of Kryvyi in the Khust district. Artem Popik, driving a VAZ 2104, veered into oncoming traffic and struck the cyclist. The minor succumbed to her injuries and passed away in the hospital the following day.

During the court hearing, the driver expressed remorse for his actions and mentioned that while the victim was in the hospital, he gave her parents 10,000 UAH, but after the child's death, they refused any further assistance. The parents filed a civil lawsuit in court seeking 1.5 million UAH in compensation for the moral damages and legal expenses incurred due to the incident.

The court also took into account the positive character reference for Artem Popik, who manages the "Foxtrot" store in Khust, as well as the fact that he is not registered with a psychiatrist or narcologist.

After reviewing all the case materials, Judge Volodymyr Kemin found the Transcarpathian guilty of violating traffic rules that led to the victim's death and sentenced him to 2 years of probation. Additionally, Artem Popik must compensate the family of the deceased girl over 650,000 UAH for the damages incurred.