The fatal accident brought back painful memories
A young woman has died after being hit by a truck on Södermalm in Stockholm.
For Maria Ahlsdotter, the sight of the accident scene was a painful reminder of how her partner Betsy Carling was hit and killed a stone’s throw away three years ago.
– It just felt absolutely terrible that it was happening again, in almost the exact same place, she says.
On Monday morning, an accident involving a truck and a cyclist occurred near Södersjukhuset in Stockholm.
The cyclist, a woman in her 20s, died. A preliminary investigation into gross negligence in traffic and causing death has been initiated.
One of those who drove past the accident scene was Maria Ahlsdotter, 49.
– I usually try to avoid the area. But my children live there half the time and today I was supposed to pick them up, she says.
“Know what they are going through”
Maria saw the police cordons and the water truck washing the street and realized that something serious had happened. Then she received a notification on her phone that there had been a fatal accident involving a bicycle and a truck.
– It just washed over me. I feel for this girl’s family, I know what they’re going through right now. I also know that it probably won’t lead to any repercussions – other than for them.
On June 9, 2022, Maria’s partner Betsy Carling, 46, was riding her bicycle a block away when she was hit by a truck. Betsy was struck by the right side of the front of the truck as the driver made a right turn. She was then run over by the right rear wheel and died from her injuries.
The driver, who stated that he had not noticed anything about the accident, was convicted of causing death. The district court found that the truck’s near-zone mirror and front mirror were misaligned and that the right turn signal was broken.
Penalty: 4,000 kronor fine
The man was sentenced to a suspended sentence and 80 daily fines totaling 4,000 kronor. He did not lose his driver’s license as a result of the sentence.
– There are no consequences for people losing their lives in this completely senseless way, says Maria Ahlsdotter.
She is also disappointed that the City of Stockholm is not doing more to increase traffic safety for cyclists.
– There is constant talk about us cycling more. It becomes somewhat of a lie when at the same time nothing is done about people losing their lives while cycling in the inner city.
