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Driver who ran over 7 persons transferred to remand prison

On September 22, Maximov's car whose speed reached 200 km/h according to some reports, swerved to a bus stop and rammed a group of persons, killing seven

MOSCOW, September 26 (Itar-Tass) — Driver Alexander Maximov, who fatally ran over seven persons at a bus stop in Moscow has been transferred from hospital to a remand prison.

"Investigators have resumed the probe into the road accident involving Alexander Maximov, a suspect in the case over the death of seven persons in a road accident in Minskaya Street. Doctors at the hospital where Maximov was taken after the car crash, said his condition was satisfactory and allowed to keep him in custody at the remand prison under medical supervision," the city police press service told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

The driver was hospitalized on Tuesday. On Monday, Moscow's Tverskoi court sanctioned Maximov's arrest until November 22. He was brought to the court's session with his head bandaged and signs of brilliant green on his face and hands. "I'd love to recuperate in hospital," Maximov told the judge.

"On September 22, Maximov's car whose speed reached 200 km/h according to some reports, swerved to a bus stop and rammed a group of persons, killing seven. Among the fatalities were five adolescents, winners of the Moscow creativity festival for handicapped children.

Police said Maximov had been quite drunk. The driver himself admitted that he'd been drinking for two days before getting into the car.

A preliminary test found blood alcohol levels at 1.55 promille.

In 2010, Maximov's driving license was suspended for drunk driving.

Criminal proceedings over the fatal road accident were opened under Article 264 of Russia’s Criminal Code /violation of traffic rules by a person in a state of alcoholic intoxication which resulted in the death of two or more people”/. The maximum penalty is nine years in prison and suspension of driving license for up to three years.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev offered to toughen the punishment for road accidents caused by drunk drivers.

"Perhaps, we should consider tougher criminal responsibility for these crimes, because even with such terrible consequences as the latest car crash in Moscow, the responsibility is rather moderate," Medvedev said at a meeting with his deputies.

Head of the State Duma committee for civil, criminal, arbitration and procedural legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov /United Russia/ told Tass he could not rule out that the maximum limit for penalties for drunk driving that results in fatal car crash might be raised.

Road police suggested confiscating cars from re-offenders in drunk driving cases.

Chairman of the Committee Vladimir Pligin earlier said “at least five provisions of the Code of Administrative Offense require a substantive analysis. They cover driving along an incoming lane, exceeding speed limit and disuse of safety belts and helmets."