Staff Reporter
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
A POLICEMAN testified yesterday in the court that it was the ‘reckless driving’ by an American motorist of Lebanese origin that led to the death of a Somali expatriate last summer. The accident took place on August 18, 2006 on the C-Ring Road, between the Muntazah and Al-Andalus signals.
Three of the victim’s friends, who were at the accident scene, told reporters that the Somali pedestrian had already crossed the right and middle lane before the car hit him in the left lane.
They said that the accused was speeding “like a bullet.” The speed limit on that stretch of the street is 80kmph, according to the traffic police report. The policeman told the court that he didn’t see the accused at the scene of the accident when he reached there shortly afterwards.
The accused had earlier said that he returned to the site about an hour after the accident and learnt that an ambulance had carried the victim to hospital. The Somali was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, sources said. The police witness said it was only because of the remains of a side mirror found at the accident scene, that the accused’s car could be tracked down with the help of the agency.
The 42-year-old American admitted earlier in the court that he fatally knocked down the Somali pedestrian but added that it was the victim’s fault that caused the accident. His lawyer said that the victim didn’t cross the road at the zebra crossing, therefore he asked to clear him from the charges or alternatively give a suspended ruling.The American told the court that he was not speeding at the time and was surprised by the man who dashed across the street and the cars surrounding him blocked the visibility.
Initially he said he did not stop at the spot because he didn’t realise immediately that his car had hit the victim, and later on admitted that he left the scene because of fear. The victim’s relatives have demanded blood money while the lawyer of the accused has asked the court to involve the insurance company in the case.
The victim, 49, is survived by four daughters and three sons. He was an Imam of a mosque.
The verdict in the case would be given on May 10, the presiding judge Abdullah al-Amerri, said.
Source: Gulf Times, April 11, 2007