THE 21-year-old woman accused of causing the road crash that killed 85-year-old Turan Obalı has admitted driving the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and without a licence, police have told a court in Girne.
Yağmur Açıkgöz appeared before Girne District Court on Tuesday, 11 August, as police sought additional time to investigate the fatal collision, which occurred on the Girne-Güzelyurt main road at Geçitköy four days earlier.
Police Sergeant Nadir Timuçin told the court that Açıkgöz had given a voluntary statement in which she admitted driving the ZZV 648-registered hire car while under the influence of alcohol and without a driving licence.
Police said Açıkgöz did not possess a driving licence of any class in either North Cyprus or Türkiye. A breath test following the crash recorded an alcohol reading of 167mg.
T-VINE reported last week that Obalı died at the scene after the vehicle Açıkgöz is accused of driving lost control on a bend and crossed into his lane at around 6.45am on Friday, 7 August.
Police subsequently alleged that passengers in the hire car initially gave false information about who had been behind the wheel, with another occupant claiming to have been the driver. Investigators later established that Açıkgöz had allegedly been driving the vehicle.
Hire car only authorised for another driver
Further details about the vehicle have now emerged during the investigation.
The court heard that the hire car involved in the collision had been rented in the name of passenger Mehmet Ali Gürdü. According to information obtained by police from the rental company, Gürdü was the only person authorised to drive the vehicle.
Police said they were also investigating claims that the car had been driven by other unauthorised people and were awaiting footage from the Kent Güvenlik Yönetim Sistemi (KGS) security camera network to help establish who had been using the vehicle before the crash.
Female hair found on driver's side of vehicle
Police also disclosed that female hair was discovered around an impact point on the driver's-side window following the collision.
Investigators are seeking to establish through forensic examination whether the hair belongs to Açıkgöz or to S.D., a 17-year-old female passenger who was also in the vehicle.
Police told the court that determining who the hair belongs to could provide further evidence about who was occupying the driver's seat at the time of the crash.
Blood samples have also been taken from Açıkgöz to test for alcohol, drugs and sedative substances. The results from the State Laboratory were still pending when the case returned to court.
Autopsy confirms Turan Obalı's cause of death
The court also heard the findings of an autopsy carried out on Obalı.
Police said the 85-year-old died from injuries sustained in the collision, including multiple rib fractures, a brain haemorrhage, internal organ injuries and internal bleeding.
Obalı, a well-known and much-loved figure in the Girne area, had been travelling in his own lane when the collision occurred.
His death prompted an emotional response from Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul, who described the failure to observe traffic rules in North Cyprus as a “national security problem” and said he was “more angry than sad” over the loss of Obalı. T-VINE published Şenkul's statement in full following the crash.
At Tuesday's hearing, Judge Mine G. Serden granted the police request for Açıkgöz to remain in custody for a further two days while investigators continue gathering statements, examining camera footage and awaiting the forensic and laboratory results.
The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.
