On October 15, 2026, the rhythm of a routine political journey was shattered on the Düzce section of the Anadolu Otoyolu. Dündar Ziya Gültekin, serving as the Deputy Mayor of Üsküdar, was traveling toward Ankara with a clear objective: to participate in an upcoming election for the Belediyeler Birliği, or the Union of Municipalities. This organization serves as a vital bridge for local governments across Turkey to coordinate and advocate for their collective interests. For Gültekin, the trip was a standard professional commitment, a necessary transit across a major artery of the nation’s infrastructure. However, the highway, often a symbol of connectivity, became the site of a sudden and irreversible tragedy.
The incident involved a complex chain collision, a type of accident that often leaves little room for maneuverability or escape. Three vehicles were caught in the pile-up, turning a stretch of the Anadolu Otoyolu into a scene of urgent crisis. The impact was severe, resulting in injuries to five individuals. Among those caught in the wreckage was Gültekin, whose condition quickly became the focus of emergency responders. The immediate aftermath saw the highway’s flow restricted to a single lane, as authorities worked to manage the scene and provide aid to the victims. While the wreckage was eventually cleared and the normal flow of traffic resumed, the human cost of the accident had already been set in motion.
In the chaotic moments following the collision, the severity of the situation became apparent. Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find Gültekin in critical condition. In a desperate bid to save his life, a doctor performed CPR at the site of the accident. This intervention provided a fleeting, fragile window of hope, allowing for his transport to a medical facility. Despite the efforts of the medical team to stabilize him and address the trauma sustained during the crash, Gültekin could not be saved. His death marked the tragic conclusion of what had begun as a day of civic duty.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find Gültekin in critical condition.
The news of Gültekin’s passing rippled through the political landscape, drawing expressions of sorrow from colleagues and party members. The AK Parti, the political organization with which he was affiliated, extended its formal condolences to his family, acknowledging the loss of a public servant. Faruk Acar, reflecting the sentiment of those who knew him, offered a message of sympathy: "Merhuma Allah’tan rahmet; kederli ailesine, yakınlarına ve sevenlerine sabır ve başsağlığı diliyorum. Mekanı cennet olsun". As the investigation into the circumstances of the crash settles, the focus remains on the family and community left to grapple with the sudden absence of a man who was, until his final hours, fully engaged in the work of local governance.