A driver involved in a tragic fatal car accident tried to cross the causeway into Saudi Arabia on foot after having to abandon his damaged vehicle, the High Criminal Court heard.
The 34-year-old is on trial accused of being involved in a hit and run incident and killing a man who had stopped in the emergency lane on King Fahad Causeway, with the first hearing taking place yesterday.
The court was told that the Saudi driver had a recorded alcohol level of 109 milligrams per litre, which typically leads to a ‘clear deterioration in judgment, co-ordination and reaction time’.
Less than two weeks after the August 28 accident, the defendant has been brought before judges standing accused of vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Victim Meshari Abdulrahman Al Hadheera, a 45-year-old also from Saudi Arabia, died on the spot.
Prosecutors levied six charges against the defendant, including not stopping to offer aid to the injured man and failing to inform the authorities about what had happened.
He was further charged with driving under the influence, causing an accident while drunk, reckless driving and endangering the lives of pedestrians.
In a video recording of the incident, the victim was seen standing beside two cars in the yellow emergency lane, both of which had activated hazard lights.
“There were two people standing near the door of the front vehicle, and there were three people inside the car behind it.
“In the video, a Ford vehicle was seen approaching very fast. It collided with the left side of the front vehicle and the Ford’s driver kept moving forward.
“The car in the front was pushed into the pedestrian bridge, and the one behind it hit its bumper, leading the victim to be stuck between both cars.”
The accused man denied charges in Public Prosecution questioning, claiming that Mr Al Hadheera suddenly opened the door of his vehicle and stepped on to the road.
Another Saudi, a 26-year-old, was standing near the victim and was injured, but is in a stable condition.
The defendant claimed that he tried to avoid the victim, but ended up hitting him and continued driving ‘out of fear’ but was forced to abandon his vehicle because of damage caused to the right front wheel of his Ford Crown Victoria in the collision.
His speed was reportedly to have reached 110km. The collision happened at 4am.
The car stopped 1km from the site of the fatal accident and the defendant was arrested as he crossed the causeway on foot.
Mr Al Hadheera’s body was handed over to his family after medics carried out an examination. His funeral took place the next day in Dammam, although he was originally from a small Saudi village located just 80km from the Red Sea.
Judges adjourned the hearing to September 16 for defence arguments.
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