Multi-time Serbian champion killed in a serious accident caused by a driver driving in the opposite lane

A sixty-year-old multiple-time Serbian billiard champion, Goran Mladenović Grga, died in a severe traffic accident on the Niš, Priština motorway near the village of Visoka, close to Kuršumlija, on July 20, 2026, according to local reports. The collision occurred when two private vehicles collided head-on. In addition to Mladenović, five other individuals were injured in the crash and were taken to a hospital by rescue workers. The incident was caused by the driver of a BMW vehicle with German license plates, who reportedly swerved onto the opposite lane for unknown reasons. This led directly to a collision with a car bearing Belgrade license plates. Rescue teams arrived quickly at the scene and attended to six injured individuals, among whom was Mladenović. He was swiftly transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. At the Kuršumlija Health Center, Director Urša Petrović confirmed that all injured individuals were immediately taken to the general hospital in Prokuplje. Shortly after 6 p.m., medical staff there received five patients. A large team of specialists, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and orthopedic doctors, assisted in their care. Medical professionals began treatment immediately upon admission. Due to the severity of her injuries, a 54-year-old patient was transferred along with the entire medical team to the University Clinical Center in Niš. Similarly, a 57-year-old woman was sent to this facility for further treatment. According to staff at the Prokuplje health center, the female patient was not in immediate danger and was transported under the supervision of medical personnel. In addition to these two, two more individuals remained at the Prokuplje hospital. One was admitted to the surgical ward, while the other was placed on the orthopedic ward. Both were assessed and treated accordingly. The accident took place in a remote area of the motorway, which connects Niš to Priština, a route known for its challenging conditions and frequent incidents. Local authorities have begun investigating the cause of the collision, focusing particularly on the actions of the BMW driver. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle and entered the wrong lane, leading to the fatal collision. Emergency services responded promptly, managing to stabilize all victims before transporting them to nearby facilities. Despite the efforts of the medical team, Mladenović's condition deteriorated rapidly, resulting in his death within hours of the accident. His family has yet to make public statements regarding the incident, though they are believed to be in shock following the loss. Authorities are expected to release more detailed findings of the investigation in the coming days. Meanwhile, the community mourns the passing of a respected figure, whose contributions to the sport of billiards will be remembered. The tragic event underscores the dangers of reckless driving on high-speed roads and serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety measures.