Careless driving kills two, court fines driver Gh₵1,200

The Tema Circuit Court ‘B’ has sentenced Yussif Awuni, a 33-year-old articulated truck driver, to a fine of Gh₵1,200 and one day of imprisonment for careless and inconsiderate driving.

Awuni, who pleaded with the presiding judge, Klorlor Okai Mills, for leniency, would serve nine months of imprisonment if he defaults on paying the fine.

The accused, who was found guilty by the court after a full trial, was charged with three counts: careless and inconsiderate driving, negligence causing harm, and failure to report an accident.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jacob A. Asamani, prosecuting, said that on July 9, 2022, at about 05:05 hours, Awuni was in charge of a Mercedes Benz articulated flatbed truck belonging to B5 Plus Company Limited, traveling from Takoradi towards B5 Plus at Kpone.

Upon reaching a section of the road close to the Cash Oil Filling Station at Kpone Barrier, the accused suddenly applied his brakes without care or attention while it was drizzling.

This caused his vehicle to skid off the road, and the trailer knocked down Mr. Alex Abeiku Addo, who was riding a motorcycle at the edge of the road. Mr. Addo is now deceased.

The prosecutor said the truck also ran into the offside of a KIA Morning saloon car driven by Hamidu Tijani, which was moving ahead of the truck. The truck then crashed into a plant and generator shop situated in the same area, causing damage to some of the equipment and shelter.

According to the facts, the rider sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Tema General Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment but died shortly after arrival. The body was deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The prosecution added that the accused driver, who also got injured and was not present at the scene of the accident when the police arrived, was later found admitted at Faith Medical Centre at Kpone on July 11, 2022.

An investigation-caution statement was obtained from him, and a police medical form was issued to him, which was duly endorsed by the doctor who treated him.

The prosecution added that a post-mortem was performed on the body of the deceased by a pathologist at the Tema General Hospital after the body was identified by a brother of the deceased. The pathologist gave the cause of death as hemorrhagic shock and multiple bony and soft tissue injuries.

He indicated that the Vanguard Insurance Company covering the truck had paid for the damaged properties.