14.10.2026 19:17
A verdict has been issued in the case concerning the accident in the Körfez district of Kocaeli on October 5, 2025, in which 4 people lost their lives and 3 people were injured. The court sentenced 23-year-old driver Furkan Uyanık, who was found primarily at fault, to 9 years in prison, and then applied discretionary mitigation, reducing the sentence to 7 years and 6 months. It was decided that the defendant's detention should continue.
In the case concerning the accident in Kocaeli's Körfez district in which 4 people lost their lives and 3 were injured, the driver found primarily at fault, Furkan Uyanık (23), was sentenced to 7 years 6 months in prison. The court ruled that the defendant's detention should continue.
The accident occurred on October 5, 2025, around 21:00 at the Sevindikli area of Körfez district. The car with license plate 06 CBP 476 driven by Furkan Uyanık, heading toward Ankara, collided with the vehicle with license plate 34 MCC 171 traveling in the same direction. Upon notification, medical, fire brigade, and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the area. In the accident, Serpil A. (42), Kerim A., Bünyamin B. (36), and Sudenur B. (26), who were in the vehicle with license plate 34 MCC 171, lost their lives. Umay Mira Ö. (3), Furkan Uyanık, and Nilüfer U. (50), who was in the vehicle, were injured as well.
FOOTAGE OF THE MOMENT OF THE ACCIDENT WAS WATCHED AT THE HEARING
The final hearing of the case regarding the accident was held today at Kocaeli 3rd High Criminal Court. Detained defendant Furkan Uyanık, the complainants, and the parties' lawyers attended the hearing. Footage of the moment of the accident submitted to the case file was watched at the hearing. Taking the floor in response to witness and victim statements, Uyanık asserted that he was innocent and requested his release. The complainants' lawyers, however, requested that the defendant be punished for possible intent.
The public prosecutor, announcing his opinion on the merits, stated that the defendant was found primarily at fault in the report of the Council of Forensic Medicine Traffic Specialization Board. The prosecutor, evaluating the reports in the file, the defendant's defense statements, and the records, requested that Uyanık be punished for the offense of 'causing the death and injury of more than one person through negligence.' The prosecutor also requested the revocation of the defendant's driver's license and the continuation of his detention.
DEFENDANT: I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT SINCE THIS INCIDENT
Making a defense against the opinion, Uyanık repeated his previous statements and said, "In a momentary lapse of attention, I panicked suddenly and lost control of the steering wheel. I would never have wished for such an incident to happen. I understand the pain the parties are experiencing. Since this incident, I have not been able to sleep at night; my mental state has deteriorated. I wish such an incident had never happened," he said.
Stating that he called the police after the accident and did not leave the scene, Uyanık said that he himself had submitted the in-car camera recordings to the case file and requested his acquittal and release.
9 YEARS IMPOSED, REDUCED TO 7 YEARS 6 MONTHS WITH MITIGATION
The court panel ruled that Uyanık had committed the offense of 'causing the death and injury of more than one person through negligence.' Taking into account the deaths and injuries that occurred in the accident and the severity of the defendant's fault, the panel sentenced the defendant to 9 years in prison.
The court, evaluating the defendant's background, his attitude and behavior at the hearings, and the possible effects of the sentence on his future, applied discretionary mitigation and reduced the sentence to 7 years 6 months. The panel ruled that Uyanık's detention should continue.