02.05.2025 12:45
The case regarding the trial of the 27-year-old driver who caused the death of award-winning violinist Laçin Akyol by hitting her with his car on a pedestrian crossing in Mersin has been sent to the criminal court of first instance with a decision of lack of jurisdiction from the heavy penal court. The grieving father commented on the decision, saying, "He hits my daughter without braking at high speed. Instead of stopping, he flashes his lights. This is not a traffic accident; it is murder."
Laçin Akyol (18), a student at Mersin University State Conservatory who was studying music at a university in Switzerland, returned to her family after breaking her foot while skiing. Akyol was injured on January 25 when she was hit by a car with license plate 33 CBR 05, driven by İbrahim Halil Çabalar, while crossing the road on Adnan Menderes Boulevard. Akyol, who was treated in the intensive care unit of Mersin University Medical Faculty Hospital, was declared brain dead on the evening of February 6. Mahmut and Övül Akyol, artists of the Mersin State Opera and Ballet (MDOB), decided to donate their daughter's organs.
HER ORGANS GAVE LIFE TO OTHERS
Laçin Akyol's liver was transplanted to a patient waiting for an organ in Malatya, one of her kidneys was transplanted in Kayseri, and the other in Mersin. Akyol, who performed on stage in many concerts of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and MDOB, won an award at the 2015 International Grumiaux Young Violinists Competition, ranked 1st in competitions held in Japan and Italy, 2nd in Georgia, and received the young talent award at the Mersin Music Festival. Following a ceremony held at the Mersin Cultural Center, Laçin Akyol was laid to rest.
ACCIDENT CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Meanwhile, the accident that caused Laçin's death was captured by security cameras. The footage shows another driver stopping his car to give way to pedestrians crossing at the crosswalk, while İbrahim Halil Çabalar is seen speeding towards Laçin without braking and flashing his lights.
EXPERT REPORT INDICATES NO FAULT ON LAÇIN'S PART
An indictment was prepared by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against İbrahim Halil Çabalar, who was detained and arrested. The indictment requested that İbrahim Halil Çabalar be sentenced to up to 9 years in prison for "manslaughter with conscious negligence." It was stated in the indictment that Çabalar violated the article that requires slowing down when approaching pedestrian or school crossings that are not marked by a traffic officer or light signal, and failing to stop to give the right of way to pedestrians crossing or about to cross. Additionally, it was noted that Laçin Akyol had no fault.
"I BRAKED AFTER THE PEDESTRIAN CAME ONTO THE HOOD"
The first hearing of the case was held on March 21 at the Mersin 17th Criminal Court of First Instance. The detained defendant Çabalar, Laçin's father Mahmut Akyol, and mother Övül Akyol, along with relatives of the defendant and lawyers, were present in the courtroom. In his statement, Çabalar said, "On the day of the incident, I was driving in the left lane. Suddenly, a pedestrian came in front of me, and I hit her as soon as she appeared. I did not brake at that moment. I braked after the pedestrian came onto the hood."
HEAVY PENALTY COURT RETURNED THE FILE
Laçin's family's lawyer Berkay Boran stated that there was a possible intent exceeding conscious negligence in the incident and said that the case should be seen in the heavy penalty court. Lawyer Boran requested the court to declare itself incompetent. The court, after hearing the parties, stated that the act should be evaluated as "intentional murder" and that the heavy penalty court should decide whether to evaluate it or not, and ruled that the file should be sent to the Mersin Heavy Penal Court. It was also decided to continue the defendant's detention. The Mersin Heavy Penal Court declared itself incompetent and returned the file. The Akyol family also appealed the decision through their lawyer Berkay Boran.
"THIS IS NOT A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, IT IS MURDER"
Father Mahmut Akyol said, "We are in a great pain that cannot be described. It is a very heavy burden to carry. A huge bomb has fallen in the middle of our home. We experienced an event that no father should ever experience. After learning about the incident by phone, I went to the accident site before the ambulance arrived. I saw my daughter doubled over on the median. When I called her, she took her last breath. I watched the accident from the camera recordings. I wanted to learn the truth. It was very difficult. I was devastated while watching, my heart was tight. Everything is clear in the footage. There is a crosswalk, a traffic light, and a car giving way; yet he hits my daughter at high speed without braking. Instead of stopping, he flashes his lights. This is not a traffic accident, it is murder. I buried my daughter with my own hands. I trust our justice. I want justice to be served. I demand the heaviest penalty be imposed."
"WE TRUST IN JUSTICE"
Mother Övül Akyol also said, "It is very hard to explain. It is unbelievable, we are in shock. We still can't believe it. The loss of a child cannot be compared to anything. Laçin was a very hardworking and successful child. She never upset anyone. Her life was always about working. She was a very mature child. She had dreams and hopes. I don't know much about criminal law, but this is an accident like murder. We trust in justice, and I want it to be on the side of the victims."
"WE BELIEVE THE DECISION WAS NOT APPROPRIATE"
The family's lawyer Berkay Boran stated, "In the previous hearing held in the criminal court of first instance, we requested that the file be evaluated under the scope of 'possible intent' and that a declaration of incompetence be made. This request was accepted. Subsequently, the file was sent to the heavy penalty court, but the heavy penalty court declared itself incompetent. We appealed the decision. The declaration of incompetence made in the criminal court of first instance is a correct decision. It is consistent with the content of the file. We believe that the decision made by the heavy penalty court without evaluating the existing evidence is not appropriate. The counter declaration of incompetence is prolonging the process. We hope that justice will be served as soon as possible."