Shocking scenes unfolded at the Debrecen District Court during the trial of a fatal car accident that occurred three years ago. After leaving the courtroom, the deceased young man’s mother showed the defendant photographs of her son taken after his death, then collapsed in the corridor. Paramedics transported her to the hospital for observation.
The tragedy happened on January 7, 2023. Attila Mázló was driving home to Létavértes from a gathering with friends when, in Debrecen, on the Vágóhíd Street railway overpass, he collided with the luxury car of Patrik Sz. Due to the force of the impact, the young man was ejected from the vehicle along with his seat and died at the scene.
The prosecution has charged Patrik Sz. with negligently causing a fatal road accident. The defendant has denied responsibility throughout the proceedings and reiterated this in his final statement on February 11. As he left the courtroom, the victim’s mother, Anna Agócs, confronted him, demanding to know what he had done to her son. She showed him photographs of her deceased child and accused him of lying when he claimed that the victim had not been wearing a seatbelt.
Shortly afterward, the distraught woman collapsed in the hallway. An ambulance was called, and she was taken to hospital.
During the hearing, the prosecutor emphasized that the accident deeply shook the Debrecen community, noting that wreaths still line the affected stretch of road in memory of the tragedy. Based on expert opinions, the prosecutor stated that at the moment of the collision Patrik Sz. was traveling at approximately 90 km/h, despite previously claiming speeds of 70–80 km/h and later 50–60 km/h.
“This already reflects the defendant’s subjective search for his own version of the truth. The accident occurred because he crossed into the other traffic lane,” the prosecutor said, adding that responsibility is clear.
The legal representative of the victim’s family recalled that the defendant had been driving at nearly twice the permitted speed and had said at the scene: “I skidded and crashed into the other car.” According to the attorney, this statement is consistent with the expert findings. A letter from the victim’s mother was also read aloud in court, in which she wrote that her son will forever remain 21 years old to the family.
In contrast, the defense attorney pointed to alleged procedural errors and disputed the exact circumstances of the accident, requesting the defendant’s acquittal due to lack of sufficient evidence.
In his final statement, Patrik Sz. expressed his condolences but denied leaving his traffic lane and claimed that police officers did not allow him to be taken to hospital after the accident.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict next week.
