Fitness trainer who lost legs in accident condemns lenient sentence for driver

WISE NEWS PRESS / GAZIANTEP, TURKEY — DEC. 08, 2025

Irem Karatutlu, a 25-year-old fitness trainer who lost both legs when a runaway truck crashed into vehicles in Gaziantep, has expressed outrage over the prosecution's request for a maximum 15-year prison sentence for the driver.

The accident, which occurred on July 26 at the exit of the Aslanlı Tunnel on the TAG Highway, resulted in one death and two injuries. Truck driver Mehmet Acet (28) has been charged with "causing death and injury by negligence" after expert reports cited his "grave negligence and violation".

Wedding Anniversary turned Nightmare

Karatutlu was returning from a motorcycle festival in Osmaniye with her husband, Kadir Karatutlu, to celebrate their first wedding anniversary when the tragedy struck. The truck, which had broken down inside the tunnel, suddenly began moving driverless after Acet exited the vehicle to check the fault, dragging vehicles for nearly 600 meters.

Motorcyclist Mehmet Mesut Karslioglu (78) was killed in the crash, while Karatutlu and another individual were injured. Karatutlu subsequently lost both legs below the knee.

"A Human Life Should Not Be This Cheap"

Reacting to the lawsuit filed at the Islahiye High Criminal Court, Karatutlu argued that the potential sentence is insufficient given the lifelong consequences she faces.

"My guess is he will serve 3-5 years. I lost my own legs under that truck, and one person died. The cost of this should not be this low," she said. "The truck driver will get out of prison in about 3-4 years and continue his life, but I will stay this way for a lifetime. Where is the justice in this? My two legs and a human life should not be this cheap.".

Her husband, Kadir Karatutlu, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the driver was found 100 percent at fault. "This is not fair... We want justice; the penalty for this crime should not be so light," he stated.

Returning to Life with Prosthetics

Despite the trauma, Karatutlu is determined to reclaim her life. Living in Kahramanmaras, she has recently returned to the gym after five months away, now training with her new prosthetic legs.

"I was already a fitness trainer before the accident. I am continuing from here on because I had dreams. I will pick up where I left off with my prosthetics," she said, noting that she has stopped using canes and is transitioning to permanent prosthetics.

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