Dubai - During the prosecution's investigation, the driver admitted that it was his fault.
Published: Wed 26 Jun 2019, 12:00 AM
Updated: Thu 27 Jun 2019, 9:26 PM
The Omani who drove the bus that recently crashed into a road barrier in Dubai - killing 17 people - is now facing multiple charges, with the Dubai traffic prosecution demanding that he pay a total blood money of Dh3.4 million.
Salah Bou Farrucha Al Felasi, advocate-general and head of the emirate's traffic prosecution, said the 53-year-old driver will stand trial at the traffic court on charges that include causing the death of 17 passengers, inflicting injuries on 13 others, and causing damage to property.
Also read: Dubai bus crash: Families devastated, survivors horrified
He said the prosecution shall demand that penalties be imposed on the driver based on the Federal Penal Code and the Traffic Law. These include up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine, on top of the blood money that shall be paid to the victims' families.
There were 30 passengers on the tourist bus that travelled from Oman to Dubai on June 6, at the tail end of the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Just a few minutes before it was supposed to reach its stop, the bus rammed into a road height restriction barrier that ripped through the left side of the vehicle.
Also read: List of Indians who passed away in Dubai road accident
Fifteen passengers died on the spot, and the others were rushed to the hospital, according to earlier reports. Two more died later, raising the total death toll to 17.
During the prosecution's investigation, the driver admitted that it was his fault, Al Felasi said.
Although he had driven on the road multiple times prior to the accident, he failed to follow the signs and stick to the designated bus lane, he told the prosecutors.
The accident site is a four-lane road that leads to the entrance of Al Rashidiya Metro station, an inspection of the Dubai traffic prosecution clarified. Two lanes are for buses and taxis, while the other two are for cars.
There were warning signals as far as 342 metres from the crash site, indicating the right lanes and height requirements for all vehicles. They also warned of speed bumps ahead.
In addition, two big sign boards are put up to remind motorists to stick to the appropriate lanes. One of the boards is located 317 metres from the crash site, while the other is found just before the metal barrier that tore through the bus.
A speed limit sign clearly read: 40kmph.
Technical reports showed that the Omani was driving the bus on the lane for cars at a speed of 94kmph, more than twice the limit.
He first hit the 'hanging metal parts' used to alert vehicles before crashing into the barrier. Severely damaged, the bus came to a halt at 44 metres from the crash site, according to the report.
The investigation was mounted upon the directives of Dubai Attorney-General Eissam Issa Al Humaidan. It was led by the chief prosecutor - with members including assistant chief prosecutor Rashed Al Ghimlasi Al Shamsi and prosecutor Abdullah Bin Salmeen Al Suwaidi - and held in coordination with experts from Al Rashidiya police station.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
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