ZAGREB, March 10, 2019 - Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Gabrijela Žalac has not tendered her resignation, nor has the government discussed that option considering the fact that the traffic accident involving the minister could happen to anyone, the government said in a press release on Saturday evening.
In that traffic accident which happened in the eastern town of Vinkovci on Saturday morning, a 10-year-old child, who was running across the street outside a marked crosswalk, was injured when she was hit by the car which was driven by Minister Žalac.
Upon the accident the 10-year-old child was taken to the local hospital where she was diagnosed with a lower leg fracture, and the hospital's spokeswoman stated that the child was not in a life-threatening condition. Later the child was transferred to the Osijek hospital for the treatment of her injury and doctors said they did not expect any complication or serious consequence of the injury.
The local police in Vinkovci on Saturday stated in their report about the traffic accident that Minister Žalac did not possess a valid driving licence and that she did not drive under the influence of alcohol when the accident happened. The local police have also confirmed that the accident took place outside a designated pedestrian crosswalk while the child was running across the street.
The fine for driving without a valid driving licence is 1000 kuna, or 500 kuna if the offender pays it on the spot.
According to the police report, after the accident Žalac paid 500 kuna (approximately 68 euro) for the offence of driving on an expired licence.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković telephoned the minister when he was informed about the accident, according to the government's press release which underscores the fact that the minister was driving her private car on her expired licence. She also immediately paid a fine for that offence which is actually irrelevant for the accident itself.
Furthermore, the minister helped the injured child upon the accident and is in contact with her family, the government's press release reads.
More news on the regional development minister can be found in the Politics section.
