The truck driver who caused a chain accident in Constanța on Monday evening, hitting a bus and eight cars before stopping at a tree, is said to have suffered a severe diabetic crisis. The 49-year-old man claims he doesn’t remember anything that happened and remains hospitalized after the accident.
According to information provided by the Constanța Police Department, the truck lost control on Dispensarului Street, where it hit several vehicles in motion as well as parked ones. The driver continued on Aurel Vlaicu Boulevard and ultimately collided with a square, a pole, and a tree. In total, ten vehicles were involved: the truck, a public transport bus, and eight cars. Two people were injured: the truck driver and a woman driving one of the cars hit.
The driver was tested for alcohol and prohibited substances, with negative results. The police have opened a criminal case for unintentional bodily harm and continue the investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident.
The driver doesn't remember anything
According to News.ro, the man reportedly suffered a diabetic crisis while behind the wheel. He told doctors that he felt unwell and has no memory of how the accident occurred.
Focus Press notes that doctors who examined him after the accident found that the driver had extremely low blood sugar, consistent with a severe hypoglycemic crisis.
Doctor: Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of reflexes
Diabetologist, nutrition, and metabolic diseases specialist Andra Balcangiu-Stroescu explained to News.ro that hypoglycemia can occur in patients treated with insulin or certain antidiabetic medications and can severely affect the ability to drive.
“There is a possibility for some patients diagnosed with diabetes to experience a drop in blood sugar, below 70, meaning hypoglycemia,” the doctor explained.
According to the specialist, hypoglycemia affects reflexes, concentration, and reaction capacity in traffic, which is why at-risk patients need to be properly evaluated and instructed.
The specialist mentioned that the guideline developed by the Romanian Society of Diabetes, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases recommends checking blood sugar levels before hitting the road and avoiding driving when the value is below 90 mg/dl. In such situations, blood sugar should be corrected before driving a vehicle.
The doctor emphasized that there are also severe forms of this condition. “A hypoglycemic crisis can be severe, with a blood sugar level of 20, when the patient can be in a coma. They effectively lose any reflex,” said Andra Balcangiu-Stroescu.
Images of police intervention spark controversy
The case has generated controversy after footage emerged of the police intervention. Local press recordings show a local police officer using tear gas spray and kicking the driver while he is in the truck's cabin.
Constanța Local Police Chief, Ionuț Dumitru, stated that the officers intervened after learning that the truck had hit several vehicles and the driver was refusing to cooperate. According to him, the man locked the doors, refused to get out, threw objects from the cabin, and attempted to continue driving, prompting the police to use force, tear gas, and other equipment.
Dumitru mentioned that the driver was “recalcitrant” throughout the intervention, requiring the breaking of windows and the involvement of multiple officers to immobilize him.
“Considering that the driver did not comply with the numerous requests made by local police, continued to try to drive, and given the fact that the individual stated that they did not stop sooner after colliding with other vehicles, the local police considered it necessary to use the equipment at their disposal, namely baton and tear gas spray, and ultimately force,” Dumitru said to Digi24.
However, there will be an administrative investigation to determine if the intervention followed procedures and if measures are necessary against the involved officers.
The investigation will need to establish whether the described reactions by the police were due to a serious medical condition or a deliberate refusal to cooperate.
Titi Aur: A truck out of control is a maximum public danger
Pilot and road safety expert Titi Aur stated that if the driver indeed suffered a severe medical crisis, the situation is extremely serious.
“There should be real examinations, including psychological ones, especially when driving such a heavy truck,” Titi Aur said, according to Digi24.
He emphasized, however, that a truck out of control represents “a maximum public danger” and authorities must act swiftly to stop such a vehicle. The expert also argued that legislation and mechanisms for medical monitoring of professional drivers should be improved to prevent similar situations.