The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office has reclassified charges against 21-year-old Viktor Iliev, who caused a deadly bus crash on August 15 while driving at an extreme speed of 199 km/h. The crash killed a passenger and left several others seriously injured.
The announcement was made by Vihar Mihaylov, head of the Transport Crimes Department, following a working meeting with supervising prosecutor Violeta Tanaitsova at the Prosecutor General’s Office. Prosecutors emphasized the case’s severity, citing the reckless nature of Iliev’s actions.
Iliev’s charges have now been upgraded to intentionally causing the death of one person and inflicting moderate bodily harm on four others. Under amendments to the Bulgarian Criminal Code, which came into force on July 26, such crimes are punishable by 13 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.
According to Mihaylov, forensic expertise confirmed that Iliev did not attempt to slow down before the crash. The vehicle, an Audi, slammed into a city bus on Konstantin Velichkov Boulevard, killing Syrian national Dr. Isa Ali instantly. The accident occurred around 1:45 a.m.
The bus driver, who fell into a coma, has since regained consciousness but remains in critical condition. Prosecutors added that two of the injured sustained seven separate injuries each, which they described as “exceptional” in severity. Two female passengers accompanying Iliev also remain in serious condition.
Investigators confirmed that Iliev had been inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, while driving. The substance, though legal in Bulgaria, was found to impair motor skills, decision-making, and perception, creating dangerous disorientation and euphoria. Tests showed its effects peak within seconds and can last up to five minutes.
“Laughing gas is not currently regulated under Bulgarian narcotics law. However, the expert assessment categorically proves it affects driving ability,” Mihaylov explained during the briefing. Pending forensic examinations will include fingerprint and biological analysis of nitrous oxide canisters found at the crash site.
Iliev’s behavior was reportedly reckless even by the standards of his passengers, who warned him to slow down moments before the crash. Shockingly, the young driver had received his license only two weeks earlier and had already committed six traffic violations, including speeding.
Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov stressed the importance of a swift and thorough investigation. “Such crimes are intolerable and absolutely unacceptable. The prosecution must send a clear signal to society,” he declared, underscoring a broader effort to address Bulgaria’s worsening road safety record.
The investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors working to finalize charges and prepare for trial. The case has sparked renewed public debate on stricter penalties for reckless driving and the regulation of substances like nitrous oxide, which remain legal despite their proven dangers on the road.