Kosovar seeks justice for grandfather who died in Swiss traffic accident

Feta Halilaj, 83, died in a traffic accident in November 2023 the guilty driver was fined 800 francs. His niece, Leyla Halilaj, and her family are disappointed with this milder sentence and are now fighting for a harsher sentence.

On a November 2023 day in Horgen (ZH) there was a fatal traffic accident, albifo.ch. Near the bus station in Gehren, an 83-year-old man from Kosovo, Fetah Halilaj, was hit by a van and thrown several metres away, he died on the scene from the severe wounds he received.

But it was not just the sudden death of their loved one who touched the family deeply. They've had a hard time after the accident. Because: “The driver's machine suffered damage which only they should have resulted in a higher fine”, says Leyla Halilaj for brick.ch. It shows photos confirming that the driver had tools mounted on the lid of his car a shovel, an axe, and a picket. She adds that it “seemed to be driving faster than 50 km/h allowed”.

The worst part, according to the granddaughter, is that “was using the phone while driving”. According to Tages-Anzeiger, he had used it right before the accident. At 11:50 a.m., he sent a text message. Fourteen seconds later, he took a picture (screenshot) of the message screen. Then, another 17 seconds later, he called the police emergency number after hitting 83-year-olds.

The shock was great when last week the verdict was announced at the Horgen County Court. The driver received a fine of 180 daily tariffs of 30 Swiss francs each, as well as a fine of 800 Swiss francs, broadcasts albinfo.ch. The victim's family is indignant and disappointed: “This was a slap in the face ♫x1>, says the late niece and son Leyla Halilaj and his son Zeke Halilaj.

They have appealed the sentencing order and are now launching an online petition with a clear purpose: justice./Periscopi/

Layla says: “We expected at least a prison sentence.” The family is not asking for money from the accused, but we want him to receive a fair sentence.

By order of short fine sentences, the accused initially received a 1,000 franc fine on April 14th 2025 -- this is now dropping to 800 francs. Although the court sentenced the driver even to a fine of 5,400 francs, this is set for a two - year trial period.

With the petition in question, they are seeking stricter laws regarding fatal accidents.

Regarding the petition, Leyla Halilay has also addressed albinfo.ch's editorial with a letter in which she, among other things, writes:

I am writing to you as my grandfather's relative, who in 2023 crashed to death from a car at a pedestrian crossing in Horgen. The event has not only shocked us as a family but also left a deep wound in our community. The author of the accident received a very easy sentence, which in our opinion is not in harmony with the tragedy and loss of our beloved family member. For this reason, we want to draw attention to this case and seek justice for our grandfather. To that end, we have begun a petitionWhich we would like to hand over to the public and the authorities:

“We want to prevent something like this from happening again.” The petition requires a revision and adoption of legal regulations in traffic and criminal rights. In particular, it requires stricter and more uniform legal evaluations in fatal traffic accidents, family members who have started the petition say.

The event is not directed against any individual, the granddaughter points out, and the initiative. A target of 3,000 signatures has been set”.

It has already received many answers and expressions of support from citizens. Everyone is encouraging them and telling them not to give up. We're grateful for everyone's support. ” /Albinfo. ch