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Off-duty police officer arrested after three-car crash sparks fire outside Nicosia General Hospital
Two cars were destroyed by flames after the collision, while the officer allegedly tested nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit.
An off-duty special constable is facing both criminal and disciplinary proceedings after allegedly driving under the influence and causing a three-car crash that left two vehicles engulfed in flames outside Nicosia General Hospital on Thursday morning.
The collision happened at around 8 a.m. at the hospital roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in the capital during the morning rush.
According to police, the 44-year-old officer's car struck a vehicle being driven by a 43-year-old woman. The impact pushed her car into a third vehicle, driven by a 38-year-old man.
Moments later, the cars driven by the officer and the woman caught fire.
Both vehicles were completely destroyed, while the third car sustained damage to its rear. Firefighters rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control.
All three drivers were taken by ambulance to Nicosia General Hospital, where they received first aid for their injuries.
A breathalyser test carried out on the drivers allegedly showed the off-duty officer had a final alcohol reading of 59 micrograms, well above Cyprus' legal limit of 22 micrograms.
Police also found that the 44-year-old was driving without a valid roadworthiness certificate (MOT).
Authorities have launched both a criminal investigation and disciplinary proceedings against the officer.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the crash.
