Emirati arrested for killing one in hit-and-run accident in RAK

The Ras Al Khaimah police have managed to arrest an Emirati young man involved in a deadly accident after he escaped the accident site without assisting the seriously injured victim who died later.  
The victim, an Arab resident, was checking his broken-down car when the erring driver rammed into him, causing grave injuries, according to a senior officer. 
Lt Col Mohammed Al Bahhar, head of traffic investigation and detention, RAK police, said they were alerted about an unidentified young man being run over by a speeding vehicle and escaping the scene. 
Traffic patrols and ambulances were dispatched to the site in a record time. "The paramedics provided all the medical aids possible, but the victim was already dead." 
A search and investigation team was immediately formed to detect and track down the driver at large, he added. 
"It was only few hours when the erring driver was spotted and arrested, following which he admitted to losing control over the steering wheel and unintentionally running over the victim." 
The young driver told the police that it was too late for him to notice the victim who was standing at the road shoulder checking his dysfunctioning car. 
"He added that he was so scared and confused that he fled the scene without helping the victim." 
Lt-Col Al Bahhar said that the erring driver was referred to the traffic prosecution for legal action, while the corpse of the victim was shifted to the morgue of the hospital for burial by relatives as due.
 "Escaping an accident scene is never a solution, and the driver involved should stop and call the police for help to rescue the victim in time, and avoid tougher penalties."
As per the new traffic law enacted in July 2017, any driver involved in accident shall be jailed or fined for failing to stop without an acceptable excuse.
The two penalties, jail term and fine, shall be enforced if the accident lead to the injury of others.
However, a fine of Dh500, eight black points, and a seven-day impoundment of the light vehicle shall be slapped on the driver who fled the scene of accident. 
Drivers of heavy vehicles, who flee the scene of an accident, shall face a fine of Dh1,000 and 16 black points. 
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah