Ukrainian heiress could pay off car crash victims' families to avoid jail

The daughter of a Ukrainian oligarch who killed five people in a car crash will offer cash to victims' families in an effort to avoid jail.

Alyona Zaitseva, 20, allegedly ran a red light while driving 96kmh when she slammed into a Volkswagen and pedestrians.

The crash, which happened last Wednesday in Kharkiv, killed five and injured a further six people.

Ms Zaitseva is currently detained and could face up to 10 years in jail if found guilty at her trial, scheduled in two months' time.

A legal expert told Ukrainian television Ms Zaitseva's lawyers were drafting up a compensation deal to keep the daughter of energy tycoon Vasily Zaitsev out of prison.

"Unfortunately, money can shut many mouths here," he said.

“Both injured people and relatives of the deceased can go to a notary office and sign statements that they received compensation and don’t have any claims against the driver."

The 20-year-old heiress has apologised for the crash.