A wave of grief has swept over the local community of Chania, mourning the loss of yet another young life. Panagiotis Karatzis, the 22-year-old son of coach Antonis Karatzis, tragically lost his life in a horrifying car accident that occurred just before 3 a.m. on Saturday on Souda Avenue in Chania.

At the same time, the revelations about the circumstances surrounding the accident, which so unfairly and unexpectedly ended Panagiotis’ life, are both shocking and infuriating. His family has been plunged into mourning, and his devastated grandmother shared that her grandson was on his way home from work when the drunk Porsche driver killed him.

Details of the Fatal Accident

It was revealed that the 45-year-old businessman and Porsche driver crossed into the opposite lane and collided with the 22-year-old’s car, killing him instantly.

According to the Chania Traffic Police, just hours before the deadly accident, the Porsche driver had been found drunk during an alcohol test. His keys had been confiscated and handed to another passenger who was with him. However, the 45-year-old managed to reclaim his keys and got back on the road, resulting in the death of the unsuspecting Panagiotis, who was returning home from work. (Watch video of the fatal crash HERE)

Who Was Panagiotis Karatzis?

Panagiotis Karatzis had played for several local football teams, starting his football career at the Souda Academy. He had also worn the jerseys of Platanias, Ikaros, Poseidon Tsikalaria, Koubes, Hephaestus, and Titan, and was a member of the mixed teams of Chania.

Panagiotis Karatzis, pictured in his younger years with the Souda Academy, was deeply loved and admired by those who knew him.

The Dangerous and Reckless Porsche Driver

Additionally, just hours earlier, at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Friday, the police received a call about the same car and driver engaging in reckless driving and aggressive behavior toward another driver in the Dikastiria Square area.

According to the victim who called the police, the 45-year-old was making illegal overtakes and later got out of his vehicle and punched another car—a complaint that was officially filed with the authorities.

A Grandmother in Mourning

The devastated grandmother of Panagiotis spoke to ANT1 about the loss of her grandson. “He had finished high school, worked in Kato Souda, such a good boy… My boy, only 22 years old, such a good boy. I’m his grandmother. He used to pass by and say, ‘Hi Grandma, good morning, do you need anything? Want me to do something for you?’ … How can you describe, my child, four households ruined? Four homes closed because of one and the other, and the other one was drunk,” she said, overwhelmed with grief.

A Dangerous Road

Residents of the area have described Souda Avenue as a death trap. Friends and family are saying their final goodbyes to Panagiotis, whose life was cut so tragically short. “He worked, finished his shift, and was killed on Souda Avenue, where so many accidents happen at that same spot, in that same area. Someone blocked his way. Since he was 10 or 12 years old, he worked wherever he was told—‘Come here, come there.’ He was so obedient, so proper, so decent, so good-hearted. What more can I say?” said his aunt.

Panagiotis was a social and active young man, passionate about sports, something he inherited from his father. His father, a former football player and now a coach, passed on his love of football to both Panagiotis and his brother.

The store where the 22-year-old worked will remain closed as a sign of mourning.

The Arrest of the Driver

The driver responsible for the fatal accident has been arrested and is being held under emergency detention.

Statement by the General Regional Police Directorate of Crete

Regarding the fatal traffic accident that occurred in Chania, Crete, in the early hours of Saturday, January 11, 2025, the General Regional Police Directorate of Crete announced:

“During the evening hours of Friday, January 10, 2025, officers from the Chania Traffic Department apprehended a driver for driving under the influence of alcohol. A case was filed against him, and the vehicle was immobilized. The driver was also issued the corresponding administrative fine.

An alcohol test conducted on another passenger in the vehicle yielded negative results, and the keys were handed over to them through an official handover report. Hours later, however, the violator managed to recover the keys to the vehicle and was involved in the fatal traffic accident.

Moreover, it was found that the driver did not possess a valid driving license, as it had been revoked earlier due to a prior traffic offense (driving under the influence of alcohol) by the BOAK Traffic Department.

The incident was immediately reported to the Chania Prosecutor, and a case file has been filed. At the same time, the Internal Affairs Service of the Security Forces, in communication with its Prosecutor, forwarded a report from the Regional Police Directorate of Crete to the Chania Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation of any criminal liability on the part of the police officers involved.

Finally, the General Regional Police Director of Crete has ordered an administrative investigation into the conduct of the involved officers.”

The 45-year-old driver has been arrested and is expected to be charged with serious offenses that may lead to his pre-trial detention.