8-year jail, 80 lashes for runaway motorist who killed woman in crash

dubai — A young motorist, who caused the death of a woman and injuries to her husband and child, was sent to jail for eight years.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance handed down the sentence to the Emirati man on Thursday after he was found guilty of 16 traffic offences, including causing the death of the woman and injuries to two other persons in the accident.

The suspect accidentally rammed into the family’s car as he tried to run away from the police. He was also fined Dh100,000 and ordered to pay blood money to the family of the woman. He will also be given 80 lashes for drinking alcohol.

The court earlier heard that the Emirati man in his 20s had just left Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and was heading to his home when he was stopped by the cops who found that he was driving a vehicle with an expired registration licence.

The official court documents stated that after realising that the cops were asking him to stop, the man sped away. The prosecutors said the young man drove past the vehicles that were in front of him from the hard shoulder and also jumped several red traffic lights while running away from the police patrol car that was chasing him.

The chase for the motorist lasted for more than an hour, according to officers. And while still on the run and after jumping a traffic light, the driver accidentally rammed into the car. The woman died on the spot while her husband and daughter sustained severe injuries.

The man had denied the charges throughout his trial in the court. According to him, the accident happened as he was drunk. He also alleged that the police tried to stop him and chased him without a genuine reason.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com