04.12.2025 20:10
New developments have emerged in the case related to the excavation truck accident that caused the death of two siblings in Ankara. The detained driver, Murat Üneş, defended himself in court by stating, "The pedestrians were in a blind spot," which drew criticism. While the families continue their pursuit of justice, a prison sentence of up to 15 years has been requested for the defendant.
In Ankara, two siblings, Semra Çevik (74) and Anıl Gülçür (66), lost their lives in an accident caused by a truck. The driver, Murat Üneş, who is being tried in custody, defended himself by saying, "The pedestrians were in a blind spot. I checked my mirrors, but I couldn't see them." This defense drew criticism.
The accident occurred on August 4 in the Kırım Street of Emek Neighborhood, Çankaya district. While parked in front of a construction site belonging to a private company, the excavation truck with license plate 06 COV 136, driven by Murat Üneş, hit Semra Çevik and Anıl Gülçür, who were walking by the roadside. In the footage captured by security cameras, Çevik and Gülçür were seen being run over by the truck. Driver Murat Üneş was taken into custody and was arrested by the court he was brought to. An indictment was prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident. A prison sentence of up to 15 years is sought for the accused Üneş for the crime of 'causing the death of multiple people by negligence.'
The first hearing of the case, accepted by the Ankara 1st High Criminal Court, was held. The hearing was attended by the detained defendant Üneş, the children of the deceased Anıl Gülçür, and the lawyers of the parties.
"I REALIZED I HAD PASSED OVER SOMETHING"
The presiding judge gave the defendant Üneş the floor for his defense. Üneş expressed his condolences to the deceased, stating, "I am very sorry that such an event occurred. On the day of the incident, I came to take excavation for the construction. I was waiting for the vehicle to exit the construction site. Another truck came behind me. The road was one-way, and when the vehicle came, the road was blocked. To clear the traffic, I decided to move the vehicle forward. I moved the vehicle. I realized I had passed over something, and when I got out to check, I saw the deceased. I did not see the pedestrians before. The pedestrians were in a blind spot. I checked my mirrors, but I couldn't see them. The moment I felt I had passed over something, I immediately stopped, got out, and saw the deceased. I couldn't check. The water coming from the construction site we came to take excavation from is being directed to the road, which is why the pedestrians are being blocked. I check the scene before getting into the vehicle. I wanted to move forward to clear the road. No one helped with the blind spot. I could not notice the individuals; I have no fault. I request my acquittal and release," he said.
"MY AUNT SAID 'HE HIT US ON PURPOSE' BEFORE SHE DIED"
Beste Kaplan, the daughter of the deceased Gülçür, stated, "My mother had said in the morning that she was going to the market with my aunt. Then my brother called me and said, 'I think our mother is dead.' When I went to the scene, she was unrecognizable. Before my aunt passed away in the hospital, she said, 'He hit us on purpose.' Four wheels passed over them. I think this is a murder. I am filing a complaint," she expressed.
"HE SAID THEY HAD TO PASS THROUGH THERE"
Uğur Arman, Gülçür's son, also stated that he was at home on the day of the incident, saying, "While I was talking to my father, they told me my mother had an accident. I asked, 'Is she alive?' There was no response. After that, we went to the scene. My mother's face was unrecognizable. We asked about my aunt, and they said she was taken to Gazi Hospital. In the evening, in the emergency room, the driver said he hit her on purpose. My aunt said the construction site blocked the place they were passing through, and that’s why they had to pass through there. I asked about my mother; I couldn't say that my mother was dead. I am filing a complaint," he said.
'FOUR WHEELS PASSED OVER THE DECEASED'
A witness at the scene, B.Ş., was also given the floor. B.Ş. stated that they did the same job as the defendant, saying, "I was there at the time of the incident. The deceased were in the vehicle's blind spot. The defendant was moving very slowly; I saw him hit the individuals. He stopped after moving about 6-7 meters. After getting out, he saw that he had hit them. There were four wheels behind the vehicle used by the defendant, lined up one after the other and side by side. These four wheels passed over the deceased. Since the vehicle was entering traffic, a guide should have been present, but there was none at that moment. After the accident, the defendant went into shock. I called the ambulance," he said.
DECISION TO CONTINUE DETENTION
After the statements, the court panel decided to continue the detention of the defendant Murat Üneş and to conduct a site inspection, adjourning the hearing to February 17.