A travel ban has been issued against a foreign tourist in connection with the investigation of a fatal accident in the Öræfi region, Southeast Iceland, on December 26, RÚV reports. The accident occurred as two cars collided on a single lane bridge.
The man is suspected of involuntary manslaughter and violation of traffic laws. Witnesses claim he drove at a high speed onto the single lane bridge, on which there was a car already.
Evidence suggests the man’s car was driven at maximum speed before the accident occurred, and much faster than the other vehicle. The wife and two children of the deceased were brought to hospital for care.
The man claimed he had not been proven to have driven recklessly. He had not driven in snow and ice before and was unfamiliar with single lane bridges. He stated that when renting the car, he was not given information about Icelandic road conditions.
The South Iceland District Court maintained that being familiar with Icelandic road conditions would not have changed anything. The man is suspected of a violation which warrants a prison sentence.
His travel ban is in effect through March 1.
He appealed the decision to issue the travel ban and offered ISK 1 million (USD 7,600, EUR 7,000) as bail, but the Icelandic Supreme Court rejected his appeal yesterday.
