Artem Mitkin, an 18-year-old defenseman for the Avto youth hockey team, is in a coma following a car accident on the Yekaterinburg Ring Road (EKAD) on June 8th. The accident occurred when the driver, identified as Mitkin, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a dividing barrier, causing it to roll over.

Two passengers, a 17-year-old girl and a boy of Mitkin’s age, were also injured and hospitalized.

According to the Yekaterinburg traffic police, Mitkin did not possess a driver’s license at the time of the accident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, focusing on determining Mitkin’s condition while driving and the reasons for the loss of control. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver chose an unsafe speed.

HC “Avtomobilist” confirmed that Mitkin was on vacation at the time of the incident. While refraining from commenting on Mitkin’s medical condition, the club wished him a speedy recovery. The club also noted that Mitkin had a trial with the Avto youth team a year ago, and played only one match last season.