Man, 28, Died in Car Accident After Leaving Best Friend’s Wedding to ‘Get a Phone Charger’

“My brother’s car … was smashed from both sides so there was no chance of survival,” said Vlad Merkulovs, the brother of Daniel Rjabcevs

NEED TO KNOW

• London architect Daniel Rjabcevs died following a car accident after briefly leaving his best friend’s wedding in Albania
• “He decided to go and get a phone charger. This is what I’ve been told,” said Daniel’s older brother, Vlad Merkulovs
• Vlad added, “My brother’s car, the little Fiat, was smashed from both sides so there was no chance of survival”

A man died in a catastrophic car accident after briefly leaving his best friend's wedding to get a phone charger.

Daniel Rjabcevs, a London architect, had traveled from the U.K. to Albania on June 4 to attend his friend's nuptials, according to Kennedy News and Media. 

However, during the evening celebration on June 6, the 28-year-old left the venue in his rented Fiat and never returned.

His older brother, Vlad Merkulovs, said wedding guests became concerned when Daniel had been gone for several hours and could not be reached.

"He went to the wedding, but at some point, he decided to go and get a phone charger. This is what I've been told," Vlad, 34, said.

According to Vlad, guests began calling Daniel and eventually contacted authorities after he failed to answer his phone.

The family later learned that Daniel had been involved in a serious crash.

"My brother's car, the little Fiat, was smashed from both sides, so there was no chance of survival," Vlad said.

Daniel suffered catastrophic injuries, including multiple fractures and traumatic brain injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery.

"They did brain surgery. They tried to save him, but they said he was in a critical condition and had brain damage," Vlad explained.

Despite doctors' efforts, Daniel died from his injuries.

Vlad said he learned of his brother's death while at home in London, two days after dropping him off at the airport for the trip.

"[It's] a devastating tragedy [and] changed our family's life forever. Our family is heartbroken," he said.

"Daniel was a loving son, brother, friend and a person who brought kindness and positivity into the lives of those around him. His loss has left an unimaginable void in our family," Vlad continued.

"I was his older brother and I treated him like he was my son," he added. "He wasn't just my brother. He was a godfather to my little girl. We feel a lot of pain, and it's traumatic."

Daniel's body is expected to be transported from Albania to Latvia, where his family is originally from, for funeral services.

Vlad has since launched a GoFundMe to help the family cover funeral costs. 

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“We are raising funds to help cover funeral expenses, travel costs for family members, legal and administrative expenses, and other unexpected costs resulting from this tragedy,” he wrote on the fundraising page.

 “Any donation, no matter how small, will help ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time,” he added.

In an update on the fundraising page, Vlad said that the family is currently attempting to get answers from local Albanian authorities related to the circumstances surrounding the accident.

"As the investigation continues, our family remains committed to pursuing the truth and ensuring that Daniel's case receives the attention it deserves," Vlad wrote.

The Albanian State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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