01.09.2026 16:31
After a 2-year treatment in Ankara, METU student Mert Doğan Aydın (23), who had managed to beat leukemia through a bone marrow transplant, lost his life after being hit by a car driven by a drunk driver while crossing the road on his way to watch a match. The driver, whose license had previously been confiscated due to alcohol, was apprehended while trying to flee after the accident and was taken into custody, while the tragic death of the young man plunged his family and loved ones into grief.
Mert Doğan Aydın (23), a student at Middle East Technical University (METU) who overcame leukemia after two years of treatment in Ankara, lost his life after being struck by a car driven by a driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol while crossing the road.
The accident occurred on August 26 at around 21:30 in Çankaya. Mert Doğan Aydın, who was studying in the Department of Preschool Education at METU, was hit by a car while crossing the road to go to a cafe to watch Fenerbahçe's UEFA Champions League play-off match against Lyon. Aydın, who was injured in the accident, died despite doctors' intervention at the hospital he was taken to.
The driver, who fled after the accident, was stopped after nearby tradesmen and couriers followed the vehicle and was caught by the police. It was claimed that the 25-year-old driver, whose name was not disclosed, had previously had his license revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol and was also under the influence at the time of the accident.
"HE DID NOT BRAKE"
Y.G., an eyewitness working at a restaurant near the accident site, said, "When I looked toward the sound, I saw the boy in the air. I saw him fall to the ground. People inside came out. At that moment, the boy was lying in blood on the ground. The vehicle that hit him did not stop at all; it did not brake. Tradesmen and couriers chased it. We heard the driver had a blood alcohol level of 2.00 promille. We also know that his license was taken away two months ago. There were also two women with him in the car," he said.
HE OVERCAME LEUKEMIA
It was learned that Mert Doğan Aydın, a Fenerbahçe fan who lost his life, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 18 five years ago and regained his health two years later after a bone marrow transplant during his treatment. It was stated that Aydın participated in the activities of the Youth Branch of the Foundation for Children with Leukemia after overcoming the disease. Aydın, who was studying Preschool Education at METU, was buried at Karşıyaka Cemetery on August 28.
The investigation into the accident continues.