21-year-old Viktor Iliev, who crashed his car into a night bus in the capital on August 15, was inhaling laughing gas while at the same time "flying" at 199 km/h. This was announced at a media briefing by Vihar Mihaylov, head of the "Transport Crimes" department. at the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office.
The results were confirmed by the toxicological examination, which found traces of nitrous oxide in Iliev's body at the time of the collision.
„This affected the driving of the car, led to disorientation, incorrect perception of facts and circumstances. It also led to euphoria. The effect of nitrous oxide is extremely fast, with peak values between the third and tenth seconds and can last from one to five minutes“, explained Mihaylov.
According to him, Iliev twice took nitrous oxide from a balloon while driving.
He also indicated that his companions in the car begged him several times to slow down, but he did not comply and at one point even ran a red light.
The speed was 199 km/h, which is four times the maximum speed limit. He did not try to slow down. A charge has been filed for intentionally causing the death of one person and causing moderate bodily harm to four other people. The bus driver has come out of a coma, but remains in serious condition, and two of the injured girls have been found to have seven bodily injuries each, Mihaylov added.
The expert also specified that a forensic psychiatric and psychological examination is to be carried out, as well as a fingerprint and biological examination of the found bottle of nitrous oxide, which was filled while driving.
Mihaylov explained that if found guilty, Iliev could receive a sentence of 13 to 20 years in prison or a life sentence.
The prosecutor's office is doing everything possible to complete the pre-trial proceedings within three months at the most and bring the case to court, he added.