Court fines driver GH¢400 for careless driving leading to amputation

Akim Oda (E/R), Jan 23, GNA - Isaac Obeng, a driver, whose careless driving resulted in the amputation of a bread seller, has been fined GH¢400, by a Magistrate Court at Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality.

Obeng would go to prison for 24 months in hard labour if he failed to pay the fine. The court also ordered him to pay GH¢2,600 to compensate the victim, Madam Philomena Awisabo also called Nana Yaa.

The convict had admitted two counts of offences relating to careless and inconsiderate driving and negligently causing harm.

The prosecution told the court presided over by Mr Albert Owusu Annor that the complainant, Madam Awisabo is a bread seller at Akim Swedru, while the driver lives at Akim Awisa in the Birim South District.

That, on December 19, last year at about 2130 hours the complainant was selling bread on a veranda at Abontinkesiem, a suburb of Akim Swedru, when Obeng then driving a Hyndai H100 brand bus with registration number GR 2832-Y with one Mr Blessing Asiedu on board was moving from Akim Aduasa towards Awisa.

At the junction at Abontinkesiem, the prosecution said Obeng drove carelessly and lost control of the steering wheel as the vehicle veered off course.

It ran onto the veranda, broke one of the wooden pillars supporting the roof of the building before pinning the victim against a wall, thereby inflicting severe damage to her right leg. Most of the loaves of bread were also damaged.

According to the prosecution, Awisabo was rushed to the Akim Oda Government Hospital and was admitted for over two weeks during which her right leg was amputated.