Zdeněk Pelc: Czech billionaire's fatal crash case closed for good

The Czech Supreme Court has rejected an appeal on a point of law by Chief State Prosecutor Lenka Bradáčová, finally upholding the discontinuation of the criminal prosecution of billionaire Zdeněk Pelc over a fatal car crash. The decision was taken without a public hearing, court spokeswoman Gabriela Tomíčková said.

According to police, on 4 June last year Pelc caused the accident while under the influence of alcohol: his car collided head-on with another vehicle. The businessman himself suffered serious injuries, and the driver of the other car died. Prosecutors in Rakovník filed an indictment, but after an assessment of Pelc's health the court discontinued the prosecution. The Regional Court in Prague later upheld that decision.

Bradáčová disagrees with the way the case has gone. In her view, it has not been proven that Pelc's condition genuinely prevents him from taking part in the main trial. She also reminded the public of the gravity of what happened: a person died in the crash. Bradáčová's representative Petr Malý said the High Public Prosecutor's Office does not yet know the Supreme Court's reasons, so she cannot comment on the decision.

Zdeněk Pelc long chaired the board of GZ Media, the world's leading vinyl record manufacturer. After the crash his son, Zdeněk Pelc Jr., took over at the head of the company.