Abel Dzidotor, a 41-year-old truck driver, has been sentenced to six months in jail by the Juapong Circuit Court after admitting guilt to three out of four charges related to an accident on the Tema-Mpakadan rail lines.
The court, presided over by His Honour Prosper Deu-Love Gormashie, considered Dzidotor’s family circumstances and his guilty plea at the first instance when delivering the sentence.
According to the case facts presented by prosecutor Detective Chief Inspector Abel Anane, Dzidotor was the driver of a Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018-20.
On April 18, 2024, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., complainants Engineer Dr. Divine Olitey and Kwabena Bonsu, both consultants for the Ghana Railways Authority, along with their Polish counterparts, were conducting a site acceptance test of the new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 001 from Tema to Mpakadan.
During the test, the train collided with Dzidotor’s unmanned truck in Abortia, a suburb of Juapong.
The truck had become stuck across the rail tracks at an unapproved location, and Dzidotor had abandoned the vehicle without regard for other road users. The collision caused significant damage to both the train and the truck.
Following the incident, Dzidotor went into hiding in Tagadzi, where he was arrested and subsequently charged.
Dzidotor faced the following charges and sentences:
First count :Careless and Inconsiderate Driving: Sentenced to pay 100 penalty units or serve 20 months in jail in default.
Second count : Unauthorized Stopping: Sentenced to pay 20 penalty units or serve 5 months in jail in default.
Third count : Causing Unlawful Damage: Sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor.
The court has adjourned the hearing on Count 4, which involves Dzidotor’s failure to produce a driver’s license, to May 9, 2024.
The sentences will be served concurrently.
Wife of the convict cried uncontrollably in after judgement pronounced.
Th driver has been taken to Akuse Prisons to begin his sentence.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
