MOSCOW, August 17 (RAPSI) – Actor Mikhail Efremov charged with deadly road traffic accident committed under the influence of alcohol is ready to give testimony in court on August 18, his defense lawyer Elman Pashayev has told RAPSI.

On August 11, an ambulance came to the Presnensky District Court of Moscow after the defendant complained about his condition. Efremov was taken to a hospital. His defense lawyer Pashayev insists the actor has suffered a stroke.

The case is heard by Judge Elena Abramova, who earlier delivered sentences against football players Alexander Kokorin and Pavel Mamayev and ex-police Colonel Dmitry Zakharchenko.

Earlier, lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky told RAPSI that relatives of driver Sergey Zakharov, who had died in the accident, prepared civil lawsuits against the defendant, as the defendant had proposed no compensation for moral harm.

Efremov’s defense lawyer in turn said that his client did not plead guilty.

On the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.

On June 9, Moscow’s Tagansky District Court ordered Efremov to be put under house arrest; the measure is still in force. In particular, he was banned from communicating with other case parties, using mobile phone and Internet.

The famous actor stands charged with committing a traffic offense in a drunken state that led to a victim’s death. He could face from 5 to 12 years behind bars if convicted.