Moscow Police Clear Oil VIP Driver in Fatal Crash

VOA News
September 7, 2010 at 11:30 am

Russian news reports say police in Moscow have closed the case against a top oil executive’s driver whose car was involved in a fatal crash early this year.

Lukoil executive Anatoly Barkov was riding in the Mercedes in late February when it collided head-on with a car carrying a well-known gynecologist and her daughter-in-law, also a doctor.

Both driver Olga Alexandrina and Vera Sidelnikova died in the crash. Barkov and chauffeur Vladimir Kartayev escaped serious injury.

The crash outraged many Russians who accuse authorities of covering up for officials and powerful businessmen who often flaunt traffic laws.

Witnesses said the crash occurred when Barkov’s car swerved into oncoming traffic and smashed into the doctors’ car.

Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev said Tuesday evidence showed the doctors’ car was skidding on wet pavement as it moved into oncoming traffic and hit Barkov’s vehicle.

Last month, a well-known Russian rapper known as Noize MC, was sentenced to 10 days in jail for offending police with caustic lyrics, including those about the crash.

His widely-known song “Mercedes S-666,” criticizes police for their handling of the Barkov crash probe.

The entertainer issued a public apology after his release from jail.