The investigation into the serious accident in Sunny Beach, which killed a 35-year-old woman and severely injured her 4-year-old child, is progressing.
Investigator and spokesperson for the National Investigative Service, Marian Marinov, announced that the inspection established that the acceleration and braking systems of the ATV driven by police officer"s son, Nikola Burgazliev, were functioning normally. The accelerator pedal was seized as evidence.
Burgazliev"s defense claims that there was a problem with the pedal sticking, which prevented him from stopping the machine. However, this claim is strongly disputed by the facts gathered by the investigation.
Investigators have recordings from five cameras covering the entire route of the ATV – from the start of the movement to the moment of the collision. The footage shows the machine passing through a roundabout, moving along a street, then making a sharp maneuver to avoid a minibus. Seconds later, the ATV ends up on the sidewalk, without pedestrians having time to react. The vehicle stops only after colliding with the facade of a hotel. The recordings show no signs of activated brakes.
"Burgazliev didn"t stop, he drove through them and stopped in the hotel wall without any visible braking effort, without visible activation of the brake pedal. The mechanism of the impact was visually established. The analysis of these circumstances will be done considering the driver"s subjective attitude, but the expertise will also provide an answer"
explained investigator Marinov. The scene captured by the cameras is shocking: the ATV, weighing over a ton (550 kg rear axle, about 500 kg front, totaling 1050 kg), crashes into the building with enormous force.
In addition to the technical aspects of the case, the investigation also established the use of marijuana by Burgazliev. While the field test conducted on the spot was negative, the blood sample analyzed at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) showed the presence of cannabis, used between 36 and 48 hours before the accident. The investigator emphasized that this is an aggravating circumstance that will influence the charges.
Expert assessments are pending to determine the speed of the ATV, the results of which are expected within one or two weeks. After that, the materials will be submitted to the court. If found guilty, Nikola Burgazliev could receive a sentence of 13 to 20 years imprisonment, or even life imprisonment, according to the Bulgarian Penal Code.
The tragedy raises serious questions about responsibility and the consequences of negligence and drug use, especially when involving potentially dangerous vehicles. The case will be the subject of prolonged public debate and will have a significant impact on public opinion regarding law enforcement and security.