Four Killed in Head-On Collision on Serbia's Novi Pazar-Raska Highway After Teen Driver Attempts Overtake

Four people died in a traffic accident on the evening of May 5, 2026, on the main highway between Novi Pazar and Raska in Serbia. The fatal crash occurred around 11 p.m. when a 19-year-old driver allegedly attempted to overtake a column of vehicles and collided head-on with an oncoming car, according to multiple Serbian media outlets including Telegraf.rs, B92, and Vreme. Emergency services responded to the scene immediately after the collision, but were unable to save the victims.

The Details

The accident occurred around 11 p.m. when a Golf 7 driven by 19-year-old Kristijan B. allegedly attempted to overtake a column of vehicles and collided head-on with an Opel Astra traveling in the opposite direction, according to Telegraf.rs and B92. The collision was violent and severe. Three victims died at the scene from the impact. A fourth victim was transported to Novi Pazar hospital for emergency treatment but succumbed to injuries shortly after admission.

The deceased include Kristijan B. (19, driver of the Golf), V.S. (69, driver of the Opel), M.V. (45, passenger in the Opel), and K.V. (56, passenger in the Opel who died in hospital), according to Telegraf.rs. Telegraf.rs reported unconfirmed information that the three victims in the Opel may have been members of the same family—specifically, a husband, wife, and her brother. However, B92 and Vreme did not corroborate this detail, and it remains unconfirmed by other sources.

At least two survivors sustained injuries in the crash. One person with serious injuries was transported to Belgrade Emergency Center for advanced medical treatment, and another with minor injuries was treated at a medical facility in Novi Pazar, according to Telegraf.rs and Vreme. There is some discrepancy in the reporting on the number of injured survivors, as B92 reported that three other people were injured and still receiving hospital treatment at the time of reporting. The exact number of survivors remains uncertain due to conflicting accounts from the various sources.

A witness described the aftermath to the RINA news agency, which was cited by B92, saying: "The scenes were horrific, with parts of the vehicles scattered all over the road. Emergency services arrived immediately, but there was nothing they could do for the victims. The collision was extremely violent."

Following the crash, traffic on the Novi Pazar-Raska highway was stopped for several hours as emergency services responded to the scene and investigators began their work, according to B92 and Vreme. The road closure caused significant disruption to traffic in the area during the overnight hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage and document the scene.

Context

The Novi Pazar-Raska highway is considered one of the most dangerous sections in Serbia, where fatal traffic accidents frequently occur, according to B92. Serbian police are conducting standard post-accident procedures, including blood sample testing and autopsies for all four victims, as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the collision. The procedures are intended to establish the exact circumstances that led to the fatal crash.

What's Next

Serbian police conducted an accident investigation at the scene, collected blood samples from all participants for testing, and ordered autopsies on all four victims, according to Telegraf.rs and Vreme. The investigation is ongoing. Traffic has since resumed on the highway. The results of the blood tests and autopsies are expected to form part of the official police report on the incident.