On the morning of March 13, 2023, challenging traffic conditions near Panevėžys, Lithuania, contributed to a serious road accident. Poor visibility due to thick fog resulted in a young driver of a Mercedes Benz Vito, born in 2002, veering into oncoming traffic, colliding with an Opel Zafira driven by another young man born in 2005. Initial reports mistakenly mentioned two trucks being involved in the accident, but later confirmation indicated they were not part of the incident.

Following the crash, traffic on the busy Panevėžys-Pasvalys-Riga road was temporarily halted, with motorists being redirected through nearby villages. Emergency services responded promptly, requiring the extraction of injured individuals from the mangled Opel Zafira. The driver, alongside two passengers aged 15 and 8, sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the driver and passenger of the Mercedes Benz Vito received outpatient care after being treated at the scene.

The police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, particularly focusing on the initial unsafe driving speed chosen by the Mercedes driver. This incident underscores the critical need for increased caution during adverse weather conditions on Lithuanian roads, especially given the rising occurrence of traffic accidents due to similar factors.