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Snowplow driver who caused death of Total CEO charged by Russian officials

Vladimir Martynenko, the driver of a snow plough involved in the crash that killed the head of French oil giant Total, sits inside the defendant's cage during his hearing in district court in Moscow, Oct. 23, 2014.
Vasily Maximov | AFP | Getty Images

The 'drunk' snowplow driver who caused the airplane crash that killed Total CEO Christophe de Margerie has been charged by Russian officials, reports the Daily Mail.

At an airport in Moscow on October 20, a private jet headed for Paris, and carrying French oilman Margerie, crashed into a snowplow on the runway, killing Margerie and three crew members.

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Total CEO killed in Moscow plane crash
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Total CEO killed in Moscow plane crash

Several hours after the incident, Russian investigators accused the snowplow driver of being inebriated. He was also accused of violating safety regulations. Some reports say Martynenko drank coffee laced with alcohol before driving the snowplow. The 60-year-old driver, Vladimir Martynenko, denied being inebriated while he was operating the snowplow.

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Earlier, air traffic controller Svetlana Krivsun who gave the jet the green light to take off on the runway, was also charged. If found guilty, she may be jailed for up to seven years. Alexander Kruglov—Krivsun's supervisor at the time of the crash—was also charged this week.

Vladimir Ledenev, the chief engineer of Vnukovo airport service, and flight director Roman Dunayev also face charges that could land them in jail.

Read the full story on Daily Mail.

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