Three tourists attack tanker driver in road rage incident

dubai — Three Bahraini tourists faced trial for allegedly assaulting a tanker driver and causing him a permanent injury in a road rage fight.

The three men, aged between 21 and 31 years, were accused in the Dubai Court of First Instance of assaulting the Pakistani man on May 4 last year, and later reported to Jebel Ali police to file a case. They did not show up in court.

The tanker driver, 59, said he was behind the wheel coming from Abu Dhabi on the Sheikh Zayed Road with another man in his company when a vehicle suddenly swerved in his direction. “What happened was dangerous, but I managed to avoid an accident by applying the brakes. I changed lane and drove parallel to that vehicle. I tried to talk to the other driver about the reason he was driving recklessly but I was then surprised by another car that suddenly came up in front of me. I could have crashed into it, but I applied the brakes again.”

The driver pulled over and went to talk to the men in the other car. “But one of them punched me several times on my head making me lose balance and fall down. The other accused then beat me up at the same time and kicked my right leg.”

The defendants fled the scene before the police officers arrived.

A police corporal said: “I was on patrol duty when I received the incident report. The victim was still on the road and injury marks were visible on his body. I ordered an ambulance for him and instructed his companion to give a statement as a witness in the case at the police station.”

When the corporal reached the police station he found the defendants already at the investigation office. “Obviously, they went to complain against the victim. However, after listening to the witness’ statement and in light of the victim’s medical condition and his injuries, criminal charges were filed against them instead.”

By the time the initial forensic report was issued in May last year, the victim was still receiving treatment; he suffered bruises and had to undergo physiotherapy sessions. The final forensic report on the victim’s condition, dated January 12, showed he was left with fractures in his right leg that are deemed to be a permanent injury.

mary@khaleejtimes.com

The defendants went to complain against the victim. However, after listening to the witness’ statement and in light of the victim’s medical condition, criminal charges were filed against them instead.” A police corporal