Man who ran over woman while fleeing appeals ruling

abu dhabi — A young motorist has appealed his nine-year jail sentence after he was convicted of causing the death of a woman and injuries to her husband and child when he rammed their car while trying to escape the police.

The Emirati man in his 20s had left Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and was heading home when he was stopped by the cops who noticed that he was driving a vehicle whose registration licence had expired, official court documents stated. After realising that the police could nail him for the offence, the man sped away.

Prosecutors said the youngster overtook 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.

Police said the Emirati was driving recklessly and had reversed his car in the middle of the road, posing danger to the lives of other road users.

The chase of the motorist lasted more than an hour, according to officers. While still on the run and after jumping a traffic light, the driver accidentally smashed into another car that was being occupied by a couple and their daughter.

The woman died on the spot while her husband and daughter sustained severe injuries and were taken to hospital.

Prosecutors charged the Emirati driver with 16 traffic offences, including causing the death of the woman and injuries to two other persons in the accident.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance had earlier handed him nine years in jail after he was found guilty of the offences. The man was fined Dh100,000 and ordered to pay blood money to the woman’s family. He was also ordered to be given 80 lashes for drinking alcohol. The Emirati, however, challenged the sentences in the Appeal Court, stressing that they were too tough, considering the fact that he did not intend to cause the accident that killed the woman.

He told the court that the police had tried to stop him and chased him without a genuine reason and that resulted in the tragedy. The Emirati also pleaded to the court to be lenient and hand him a lighter sentence. The trial was adjourned until August 22.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com