After a traffic accident left one dead, Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banožić was removed from office. He would have caused the accident by overtaking.
Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banožić has been replaced following a fatal road accident. “In these exceptional circumstances, I have relieved Minister Banožić of his duties,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at a press conference on Saturday afternoon in Zagreb. State Secretary Zdravko Jakop was appointed head of the Ministry of Defense. According to the hospital, Banožić currently has no memory of the accident.
Plenković expressed his condolences to the family of the late 40-year-old man. He announced that the government would find a way to help the family. The Prime Minister regretted the accident and expressed concern for Banožić’s health.
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Public Prosecutor’s Office: Banožić caused an accident when overtaking
The Public Prosecutor’s Office, however, confirmed that Banožić caused the accident. While overtaking a truck, he collided head-on with an oncoming delivery truck, it was said. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. Saturday under foggy conditions, media reports said. The driver of the delivery truck died in the collision and Banožić suffered serious injuries.
After the accident, Banožić was initially treated at Vinkovci hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries he was transferred to Osijek hospital, where he is being treated in the intensive care unit. He reportedly suffered injuries to his head, chest and limbs, but was said to be out of danger. According to the hospital’s deputy director, Banožić is conscious, “but not fully conscious, which is common in this type of brain injury,” Krunoslav Šego said, according to media reports. He still doesn’t remember the accident.
Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banožić is seriously injured. An oncoming driver was killed. APA / AFP / Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt