Kyiv businessman involved in accident on Zhytomyr highway; police report pedestrian dead

On Monday, February 9, at around 19:30, a 60-year-old local resident crossing the road was struck by a Mercedes-Benz driven by a 49-year-old Kyiv resident on an unlit section of the Kyiv–Chop highway near the village of Kamianyi Maidan in Zvyagel district, according to the press service of the Main Department of the National Police in Zhytomyr region.

The pedestrian died on the way to the hospital.

Police confirmed that the driver was sober.

On the morning of February 10, Kyiv businessman Ihor Mazepa, 49, posted on Facebook that the day before, while returning to Kyiv via the Zhytomyr highway (part of the Kyiv–Chop highway), he had been involved in an accident "involving a third party."

"In order to prevent possible insinuations, I would like to inform you that I was not tired, did not use any substances prohibited for drivers, which was confirmed by a medical examination on the spot, and did not violate any traffic rules. I am cooperating fully with the investigation," Mazepa wrote at 5:38 am.

Police have launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 2 of Article 286 (violation of traffic safety or vehicle operation rules) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident.

Exclusive comment from Ihor Mazepa’s press service on the accident

At the time of the incident, weather conditions were challenging: it was dark, and visibility was limited. The vehicle’s speed complied with established regulations. Suddenly, a man appeared on the roadway; he was outside a pedestrian crossing and not on the shoulder, but walking directly on the road. He was wearing dark clothing without any reflective or bright elements. The highway was unlit.

The driver immediately began braking and attempted to avoid a collision by changing lanes. However, due to the unpredictable behavior of the pedestrian, avoiding the accident was not possible.

After the accident, the driver immediately approached the injured person, called for an ambulance, and notified the police. While assistance was being provided, witnesses reported a strong smell of alcohol coming from the injured person’s mouth.

All circumstances of the incident, including the actions of the participants and the possible condition of the injured person, are to be determined by the investigation in accordance with applicable law.

• Mazepa is the founder of Concorde Capital, an investment company with stakes in the Kryvyi Rih Cement plant, Dobrobut clinic chain, GoodLife Park cottage community, Shelest country hotel and restaurant on the Kyiv Reservoir, Energozberezhennia group of companies, MakeUp online store, and Sela Energy, a gas production company in Lviv region.
• In 2024, he became a suspect in a criminal investigation over the seizure of land and hydraulic structures in the Kyiv region, conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. On January 18, 2024, Mazepa was detained at the border; investigators claimed he was trying to flee Ukraine, while his defense said he was traveling to Davos.
• His detention caused a significant public outcry, prompted the intervention of the National Security and Defense Council, and led to the creation of a Business Council under the President of Ukraine. The case never reached court.