Driver Convicted, to be Sentenced

Aman, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of Dangerous Driving Occasioning Death, was convicted by the Magistrates Court in Labasa on July 23.

It was alleged that on January 17, 2017, Shiu Ram drove a vehicle with registration HL 608 along the Labasa to Nabouwalu Highway at Dama Village. He drove in a manner, which was dangerous to the public and hit a bus, which led to the death of Ronal Nilesh Chand.

The case proceeded to trial on May 19 with seven witnesses for the prosecution and the accused being the only defence witness. In their evidence, the bus driver and a passenger, who witnessed the accident, said the victim was badly injured and they were not sure if he was alive or dead when they removed his body from the bus.

The bus passenger, who is a Pastor, said the victim was dead when they pulled him to the roadside and his body was black from the blood clot.

Ram said had other drivers helped him, the victim would not have died on the spot.

Ram said while approaching a bend at Dama, he saw a horse and drove the vehicle on to the opposite lane.

He tried to go back to his lane when he saw the bus, but his vehicle had some defects and was overloaded with live fish, water and coral.

He said he signalled to the bus driver to drive in the opposite lane, but was late in applying his brake.

The bus driver said he stopped the bus and beeped his horn, but both vehicles collided.

The driver and witness said they did not see cross the road.

Magistrate Cama Tuberi accepted the state’s evidence and rejected Ram’s evidence that he tried to avoid a horse.

He said the manner in which Ram drove on the opposite lane used by the bus created a dangerous situation and he was driving below the standard expected of a competent and prudent driver.

The accused will be sentenced at a later date. any animal