Vnukovo Snowplow Driver Refuses to Admit Guilt for Plane Crash: Lawyer

MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti) - Snowplow driver Vladimir Martynenko has denied responsibility for the plane crash in Moscow's Vnukovo-3 Airport that killed French energy giant Total's CEO Cristophe de Margerie, the driver's lawyer, Alexander Karabanov, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

"During the interrogation, Martynenko said that he does not admit his guilt. He was sober at the time of the accident," a lawyer said.

Karabanov stated that his client does not drink alcoholic beverages at all for medical reasons.

"Now he barely understands what is happening. He is in a psychological shock. He is complaining of heartache and asks to provide him with the necessary medication," Karabanov claimed.

Earlier today, the lawyer said that he will make sure an independent examination on the presence of alcohol in his client's blood is conducted.

Russia's Investigative Committee claims that the driver was drunk at the time of the accident.

A Falcon 50 business jet crashed late Monday night in the Vnukovo-3 Airport after hitting a snow removal vehicle on takeoff. The aircraft was flying from Moscow to Paris with de Margerie as the only passenger on board besides three crew members, also French citizens. All four died in the crash.

Apart from the actions of the snowplow driver, the investigation is also looking into bad weather conditions, a mistake by air traffic control and the possibility of pilot error as possible causes of the crash.