Driver in fatal Pearl collision says deceased cyclist caused accident
A truck driver, who is on trial for killing a pedal cyclist, yesterday maintained that he was not driving in a dangerous manner when the accident occurred in 2014.
Roopnarine Hardiwar, who is accused of driving motor vehicle GPP 9557 on November 15, 2014 in a manner dangerous to the public and causing the death of Ramdoolar Dhanraj, called ‘Eddie,’ maintained his innocence when he gave an unsworn statement yesterday.
Following the accident, police had said that Hardiwar was tested and found to be over the legal limit in relation to the consumption of alcohol.
Hardiwar was called upon to lead a defence after the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, overruled a nocase submission made by his attorney and found that there was sufficient evidence to require a defence.
He opted to give unsworn evidence yesterday and called no witness.
Hardiwar recalled that on the day of the accident he was journeying along the Pearl Public Road, where he was about to go around a bend. He said he saw a pedal cyclist coming from the western direction.
According to Hardiwar, he applied the brakes and blew his horn but the pedal cyclist kept going east, resulting in a collision.
He stated that the cyclist collided with his side of the vehicle, causing him to lose control and ending up in a nearby trench.
Hardiwar stated further that he came out of the vehicle and rendered assistance to the cyclist but added that he received a beating from persons who had gathered near the area.
Sometime after, he said, police arrived on the scene and he explained what happened to them.
He was later escorted to the police outpost and gave a statement, he further said.
Hardiwar maintained that he was not speeding or driving in a dangerous manner and added that he did all he could do to save the pedal cyclist.
Subsequent to his testimony, his attorney closed his case and requested an early date to present closing arguments.
The Chief Magistrate later adjourned the matter to October 17.