03.07.2026 15:51
In Mersin, Melis Kuş (25), who caused the deaths of twin sisters Kübra and Büşra Güney (15) and their two cousins by hitting them with a jeep, appeared before a judge for the first time. Claiming she did not intentionally hit the pedestrians, Kuş said, 'If I had seen the pedestrians, I would have thrown myself under a truck.'
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The accident that took 4 lives occurred on February 2 at around 20:45 on the D-400 highway in the Bekirde neighborhood of the Akdeniz district.
IT TOOK THE LIVES OF 4 COUSINS Psychologist Melis Kuş, driving a jeep with license plate 33 ATE 039 heading from Tarsus to Mersin, attempted to overtake the vehicle in front. During this maneuver, Kuş lost control of the steering wheel, and the jeep plowed into a group of people waiting to cross the road on the median strip. Health and police teams were dispatched to the area upon reports from witnesses. Under the examination of health officials, cousins Nejla Öztürk (16), Zehra Serdil Atak (18), and Kübra Güney were confirmed dead. The injured, including Kübra Güney's twin sister Büşra Güney (15), Burkan Acar (21), and Yunus Bagı (35), were taken to the hospital after initial medical intervention. Among the wounded receiving treatment, Büşra Güney lost her 18-day fight for life. Following the accident, the driver Kuş was taken into custody and subsequently arrested after being referred to the courthouse.
Melis Kuş INDICTMENT PREPARED The public prosecutor, having completed the investigation into the incident, prepared an indictment against driver Kuş. The indictment, accepted by the 7th Heavy Penal Court of Mersin Courthouse, seeks a total prison sentence of up to 22.5 years for Kuş on charges of causing the death of multiple individuals along with the injury of one or more persons.
DRIVER FOUND 'PRIMARILY AT FAULT' In the fault report prepared regarding the accident, it was stated that driver Melis Kuş was 'primarily at fault', while the pedestrians waiting on the median strip, which is a continuation of the crosswalk, were found 'faultless'. Additionally, the report noted that despite the road having a 50 km/h speed limit, driver Kuş failed to operate her vehicle appropriately according to road conditions and speed limits at night, instead driving recklessly and at approximately 149 km/h, far exceeding the speed limit. Upon entering the lighted intersection, she struck the curb corner, a light pole, and pedestrians, causing deaths and injuries.
FIRST HEARING HELD The first hearing of the case was held today at the 7th Heavy Penal Court of Mersin Courthouse. The detained defendant Melis Kuş, accident victim Burkan Acar, relatives of the children, and party lawyers were present in the courtroom. Injured Yunus Bagı participated in the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBIS).
At the hearing, defendant Melis Kuş, who was given the floor first, stated that while driving, she swerved onto the median strip after being hit by a truck she claimed changed lanes. kuş, noting that she was returning from visiting her grandmother on the day of the incident, said, 'While driving in the left lane from Tarsus toward Mersin, a truck in the right lane made contact with my right front side at the intersection entrance. I got scared and panicked. My vehicle swerved onto the median strip. When I opened my eyes, my car was upside down on the median. Upon getting out, I saw pedestrians on the ground. I don't remember hitting the pedestrians. It was dark. My speed was around 70-80. I pressed the brake all the way. I'm very sorry. I didn't do it intentionally. If I had seen the pedestrians, I would have gone under the truck.'
'MY LEG REMAINED DISABLED' Burkan Acar, who survived the accident with injuries, stated that the accident happened suddenly. 'After getting off the minibus, I came to the median to cross. There were children in front of me. While playing with my phone, the vehicle suddenly hit us. I don't remember the impact. I stayed in bed for 2 months. My leg remained disabled. I am pressing charges against the defendant,' he said.
Yunus Bagı, also injured in the incident, expressed that he was pressing charges against the defendant and stated that the vehicle struck them seconds after they saw its headlights.
'THEIR DREAMS WERE DESTROYED' Mahmut Güney, who lost his twin daughters in the accident, said, 'I was at home at the time of the incident. I spoke to them 10 minutes earlier; they said, "We're on the way, we're coming." These children had dreams. Their dreams were destroyed. I had 2 children, now I am left childless. I am pressing charges and want the harshest punishment.'
LOST 2 CHILDREN 4 MONTHS APART Hava Öztürk, who lost her daughter Nejla Öztürk in the accident, said, 'I lost my son 4 months before the accident. I had one daughter left, and now she is gone. They had dreams. This is murder. I am pressing charges and want the harshest punishment.'
WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THEY WERE ON THE GROUND Hatice Güney Atak, who lost her daughter Zehra Serdil Atak in the accident, said the following:
'On the day of the incident, we were with the girls. I came home ahead, and they were following behind. Sirens started sounding outside. I called the girls, but they didn't answer. When I arrived at the scene, they were on the ground. They were very well-behaved, successful children. I am pressing charges and want the harshest punishment.'
RECONSTRUCTION DECISION The court, having also listened to the party lawyers, decided to conduct an evening reconstruction of the scene and to await the forensic medical report regarding the injured. The hearing was adjourned to September, while the defendant's continued detention was ordered.
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