A driver who killed two men after mowing down four cyclists on Zallaq Highway has appealed against his sentence of seven years behind bars.
Last month, the Bahraini was found guilty at the High Criminal Court of vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, failing to aid the victims despite being able to, possession of methamphetamine and damaging the victims’ property.
The case is now being heard at the Appeals Court and judges have been briefed on the fateful morning on March 21 when his car crashed into four friends from the Laspag Cycling Group.
Two long-term Filipino expatriates – 62-year-old mechanic Francisco Abatayo Delostrico, better known as Franz, and 47-year-old private chauffeur Mario Valdez who had been working in Bahrain for many years – were killed on impact and the other two sustained severe injuries.
The 29-year-old defendant later told investigators that he had dropped a cigarette inside his car and took his eyes off the road for a few moments to pick it up. He claimed he was startled when he looked back up and spotted the cyclists and he did not have time to take evasive action.
A summary of the event by the Public Prosecution revealed that the defendant hit the rear of the first and second bicycles, pushing the riders into the emergency lane on the right.
His vehicle then continued forward, striking another cycle so forcefully that it struck the car’s bonnet and windshield, before being thrown into the air.
Two cyclists at the rear of the group were thrown a distance by the impact, while the pair in front fell under the wheels of the vehicle sustaining fatal injuries.
Even though he was fully capable of helping and calling for medical assistance, the defendant, instead, fled the scene.
According to medical reports, the 46-year-old victim suffered from skull fractures and lacerations to the back of his scalp, while the 61-year-old’s shoulder, leg, neck and skull were broken.
During questioning by the authorities, the driver admitted to the charges, stating that he had left his Hamad Town home earlier that day after an argument with his father.
He claimed that he was smoking and his cigarette fell as he was taking a turn. He looked down to pick it up, and when he lifted his head, he suddenly noticed the cyclists in front of him.
After the incident, he claimed that he ‘got scared and ran away’, driving to Malkiya Beach and leaving his car there. He was arrested the next day and informed the authorities where the vehicle was located.
The defendant went on to admit that he had snorted methamphetamine, or shabu, two days before the incident.
Court files indicated that the man was admitted to the psychiatric ward after he was arrested as he claimed to have heard voices in his head that were telling him to kill himself.
A report from the Psychiatric Hospital stated that he was admitted for ‘suicidal thoughts’ but that his claims proved to be untrue upon evaluation.
On May 4, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by the High Criminal Court. Unsatisfied with the verdict, he lodged an appeal, and the first hearing was held this week. The case has been adjourned until a later date to be announced to allow time for the submission of legal arguments.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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