22.10.2026 11:32
The investigation into the death of 3-year-old Elif Mavi Avli, who lost her life after being hit by a car while crossing the road with her mother in Eskişehir, has been completed. In the accident, in which the young child was dragged 14 meters under the vehicle, it was determined that the driver, Fatoş Akıl Bilgesoy, was primarily at fault. The detained driver faces a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
In the accident that occurred on September 3 in the Vişnelik Neighborhood of Eskişehir's Odunpazarı district, the car driven by Fatoş Akıl Bilgesoy (40) struck Merve Avli and her 3-year-old daughter Elif Mavi Avli, who were trying to cross the road.
Following the accident, police and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. The seriously injured little child was first taken to a private hospital, then to Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. However, despite all the doctors' interventions, she could not be saved. The mother, Merve Avli, survived the accident with minor injuries.
DRAGGED 14 METERS UNDER THE CAR
In the security camera footage of the accident, the moments when the car hit Elif Mavi, who was trying to cross with her mother, and the mother wailed after the incident were captured.
In the investigations, it was determined that the little child was dragged 14 meters under the car.
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE OBJECTED TO HOUSE ARREST DECISION
The driver Fatoş Akıl Bilgesoy, who was taken into custody after the accident, was released by the court she was brought before under the judicial control condition of not leaving her residence, on the charge of 'causing death and injury by negligence.'
Upon the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objecting to the decision, an arrest warrant was issued for the driver. Bilgesoy, who was taken into custody again on September 8, was arrested by the magistrate's court.
FORENSIC MEDICINE REPORT: DRIVER PRIMARILY AT FAULT
In the traffic accident determination report prepared within the scope of the investigation, it was stated that the driver was at fault and the pedestrians were not at fault. However, upon an expert report dated September 4 making an assessment to the contrary, the file was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution Ankara Traffic Specialization Department.
In the report prepared by Forensic Medicine, it was determined that Bilgesoy was primarily at fault due to her careless, imprudent, and traffic-rule-violating behavior. It was recorded that Elif Mavi, who lost her life, and her injured mother had no fault in the accident.
"I DON'T REMEMBER THAT 5-10 SECOND PART"
In her statement to the prosecutor's office, driver Bilgesoy argued that she was moving slowly during the accident and made the following statements:
"A vehicle gave way to me, and I started to pass slowly. As I continued, I suddenly saw the little girl. I turned the car to the right, but the child ran in front of me and the accident occurred."
When she was asked about the camera footage showing that she accelerated just before the collision, she gave the following answer:
"I don't remember that 5-10 second part. When the child suddenly stepped onto the road, I turned right to save the car. I regret the accident."
UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON SOUGHT
The indictment prepared by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was accepted by the Eskişehir 1st High Criminal Court.
A prison sentence of 2 to 15 years was sought for the detained defendant Fatoş Akıl Bilgesoy on the charge of 'causing death and injury by negligence.'
Bilgesoy is expected to appear before a judge in November.