In the early hours of Saturday, a shocking incident unfolded during horse races in Bijeljani, near Bileća, in eastern Herzegovina. A man intentionally drove his car into a crowd of spectators, resulting in three injuries, one of whom suffered severe trauma. The victim, a 37-year-old man born in 1994, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Trebinje Hospital with multiple fractures but remained conscious and coherent throughout. According to hospital staff, he retained memory of the event and was able to communicate with medical personnel. Two other men were lightly injured and treated on the general ward. The incident occurred during traditional summer horse racing events held annually in Bijeljani. Witnesses described the moment when the driver, identified as a man previously known to police for multiple criminal offenses, deliberately accelerated toward the gathered crowd. Footage shared on social media shows a red SUV crashing into the group, capturing the chaos and fear among onlookers. The video, which has been flagged as disturbing, was not officially released by local media but circulated widely online. Local authorities confirmed that two individuals have already been detained for allegedly assisting the perpetrator after the crime. These include Goran Čubrilo from Bileća and Marija Ivković from Nevesinje. Both are suspected of aiding the accused in evading legal consequences. Police continue their search for two more suspects, Željko Vujović and Miroslav Samardžić, who are believed to have fled the scene together following the attack. The police department in Trebinje stated that they are investigating the case under the most stringent procedures. They have informed the District Public Prosecutor’s Office in Trebinje, requesting all necessary measures to document the criminal acts and locate the suspects. The investigation is ongoing, with officers intensifying efforts to track down the remaining suspects. The local council president of Bileća, Dražen Dunđer, condemned the incident as “the bottom of the abyss.” He expressed outrage over the actions of the perpetrator and the potential influence of provocateurs who encourage such behavior. Dunđer emphasized that the police must conduct the investigation thoroughly and transparently. He noted that the horse races themselves had proceeded without incidents, and the conflict arose only after the event concluded, as spectators prepared to leave. According to Dunđer, he witnessed one of the injured victims shortly after the incident. His description of the scene was harrowing, describing the situation as akin to a nightmare. Despite the gravity of the event, local officials have not yet issued further public statements beyond the initial condemnation. Medical reports indicate that the severely injured man sustained multiple fractures but remains alert and cooperative with treatment. The other two patients received less serious injuries and were not placed in intensive care. The police have not yet disclosed the identity of the vehicle operator, though they have indicated that the individual is known to law enforcement due to prior arrests. As the investigation continues, the community in Bijeljani awaits further developments. Local media and residents remain concerned about the safety of future events, particularly given the nature of the incident. Authorities have not announced plans for additional security measures or changes to the annual horse racing tradition. For now, the focus remains on locating the remaining suspects and ensuring justice for the victims.
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