An 18-year-old hockey player, Artyom Mitkin, is in serious condition after being involved in a car accident on the Yekaterinburg Ring Road (EKAD) on the night of June 8. Mitkin, a defender for the Avto youth team, was driving a Ford Focus with two friends, Makar, also an 18-year-old hockey player, and a 17-year-old girl.

The accident occurred when the 17-year-old girl, a passenger in the front seat, allegedly grabbed the steering wheel during an argument while on a phone call. The vehicle was reportedly traveling at high speed, causing Mitkin to lose control.

The car then collided with a dividing barrier and overturned. Mitkin sustained serious injuries and has been placed in a medically induced coma.

While the two passengers sustained minor injuries, authorities have confirmed that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Further investigation revealed that Mitkin did not possess a driver’s license and was driving his sister’s car, who was out of town at the time of the accident.

The Yekaterinburg Traffic Police Department is investigating the incident.