Nicosia, Cyprus. An off-duty police officer is facing criminal and disciplinary investigations after allegedly driving under the influence and causing a three-vehicle collision near Nicosia General Hospital on Thursday morning. Two vehicles caught fire and all three drivers received first aid treatment.
Collision and fire
Police said the crash occurred at about 8am at the Nicosia General Hospital roundabout. A car driven by the 44-year-old officer collided with a vehicle ahead, driven by a 43-year-old woman.
The impact pushed the woman’s vehicle into a third car driven by a 38-year-old man. The officer’s vehicle and the woman’s car caught fire, while the third vehicle sustained rear-end damage.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze. Ambulances took all three drivers to Nicosia General Hospital, where they received first aid treatment.
Investigations launched
Breathalyser tests were conducted on all three drivers. Police said the 44-year-old officer recorded a final alcohol reading of 59 micrograms, above the legal limit of 22 micrograms.
A subsequent inspection found that the vehicle he was driving did not have a valid MOT certificate.
Police have opened a criminal investigation and internal disciplinary proceedings against the officer. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.