Surveillance footage has emerged showing the moment of a serious traffic accident involving Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar’s convoy, raising questions about the safety protocols for political figures in the region. The accident occurred on July 31, 2026, as President Pirc Musar was returning from a vacation in Croatia. The footage, released by RTV Slovenija, reveals the collision in the Kastelec tunnel, where the president’s vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz V300, was part of a three-car convoy traveling in the left lane with blue rotating lights activated.
The incident unfolded when two civilian vehicles were ahead of the convoy. One vehicle managed to quickly move aside, while the other slowed down but remained partially in the left lane. The lead Audi in the presidential escort passed the civilian vehicle but then abruptly slowed down. The Mercedes carrying President Pirc Musar failed to maintain a sufficient distance and collided with the rear of the Audi. Both vehicles were subsequently thrown towards the tunnel wall, with the Mercedes coming to a stop against it.
According to the Slovenian police, the accident was attributed to the 52-year-old driver of the Mercedes not maintaining a safe distance, resulting in the collision with the Audi driven by a 34-year-old. Both drivers were police officers assigned to the presidential escort, and tests for alcohol and drugs returned negative results. The footage and subsequent analysis have prompted scrutiny over the safety measures and protocols in place for political figures’ convoys.
Mobility expert Andrej Brglez, who has experience driving for protected persons, commented on the incident, noting that the critical moment occurred when the vehicle ahead of the convoy began to brake. He suggested that the driver of the presidential Mercedes likely expected the vehicle in front to move completely out of the way and for the lead escort vehicle to accelerate again, which did not happen.
Peter Vidmar, Dean of the Slovenian Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, analyzed the footage for 24UR and estimated the convoy’s speed at the time of the accident to be approximately 150 kilometers per hour, with a distance of about 30 to 35 meters between the lead vehicle and the Mercedes. Vidmar emphasized that such a gap was insufficient given the speed, and even a specially trained driver would have limited time to react to the speed difference, as the civilian vehicle ahead was traveling at around 60 kilometers per hour.
The accident resulted in President Pirc Musar suffering a broken collarbone, classified as a minor injury, while one of her friends sustained serious injuries. Both were transported to Izola General Hospital. President Pirc Musar later admitted that she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, a decision she described as her “biggest mistake,” and she expressed regret over it. Brglez noted that the injuries might have been less severe if all passengers had been wearing seatbelts.
The case of the 52-year-old police officer driving the Mercedes has been forwarded to the Slovenian Specialized State Prosecutor’s Office, which handles offenses committed by officials with special powers, for investigation into potential negligent traffic accident charges. The Kastelec tunnel was closed for over three hours following the accident, and the initial material damage was estimated at approximately 37,000 euros.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about the adequacy of current safety protocols for political figures in Slovenia and potentially the wider region. The release of the footage may lead to increased public scrutiny and calls for a review of the measures in place to protect high-profile individuals during transit.
