vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #612 / Crime watch / Reading article...

Vladivostok police are investigating the criminal case launched against former deputy head of Primorye Traffic Police Vasily Goncharuk who killed three people in two separate traffic accidents but so far has not taken any responsibility.

The criminal case against Goncharuk was started on charges of a violation of traffic rules which led to a fatality. On March 7, 2008 Goncharuk, who was driving a Toyota Crown sedan, crashed into the back of another vehicle killing one person and leaving two people injured.

The recent traffic accident involving the former deputy head of Primorye Traffic Police is not the first of its kind. On September 24, 2006 Goncharuk, who at this time held his top position in Primorye’s traffic police, hit a motorcycle on the highway linking the town of Artyom with Vladivostok. Two men, 21 and 26 years old, were killed in the accident.

Despite the fatal case, Goncharuk left his position with the police only a year later citing ‘health reasons’ and the criminal case against him was taken to court in October 2007. However, the court ruled to close the case due to the fact that ‘the sides had reached an agreement’.

It turned out that the relatives of the killed men agreed to accept damages and withdraw their suit against Goncharuk. The prosecutor’s office did not appeal the ruling which gave no punishment for the traffic police officer who killed two men in a traffic accident. It was not even ruled that Goncharuk’s driver’s license should be revoked. The only question remains – how many killings is the limit for a high ranking official to be prosecuted?