Motorist causes death of woman as he flees from cops, court hears

ABU DHABI — A young motorist stood trial accused of causing death of a woman and injuries to her husband and child when he rammed into their car while trying to escape from traffic patrol officers.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance 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 policemen after noticing that he was driving a vehicle with an expired registration licence.

Court documents stated that after realising that the police were asking him to stop, the man sped away.

Prosecutors said the man overtook the vehicles that were in front of him through the hard shoulder and also jumped several red signals while fleeing the police patrol car that was chasing him.

The police said the Emirati was driving recklessly and dangerously and that on a certain occasion, he even reversed his car in the middle of the road which posed danger to the lives of other road users.

Another patrol car had to be sent to help in catching the motorist who was driving at a speed of more than 200kmph to avoid being arrested. The man later hit the second police patrol car as it tried to block his way. He managed to escape from being caught.

The chase lasted for more than an hour. After jumping a red signal, he accidentally rammed his vehicle into another car, in which the couple and their small daughter were travelling.

The woman died on the spot while her husband and daughter sustained severe injuries.

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

The man denied the charges when he appeared in the court. He claimed that the accident occurred due to drunk-driving and alleged that the police tried to stop him without a genuine reason. The trial has been adjourned to May 17.