Truck Driver in Train Crashed incident Jailed 6 Months
A 41-year-old truck driver, Abel Dzidotor, whose alleged negligence led to the obstruction and resulting crash of one of the government’s trains on a test run on the Tema-Mpakadan rail lines, has been jailed for six months by the Juapong Circuit Court.
Mr Dzidotor was convicted of his own plea after pleading guilty to three of four charges proffered against him.
The first charge was for careless and inconsiderate driving, a violation of Section 3 of the RTA Act 683 (2004), as amended by Act 761 of 2008. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 100 penalty units, equivalent to a potential 20-month prison term if not paid.
The second charge was for unauthorized stopping, in violation of Section 19 of Act 683 of 2004, as amended by Act 761 of 2008. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 penalty units, or a five-month jail term if unpaid.
The third charge was for causing unlawful damage, contrary to section 172b of Act 2960. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and received a six-month sentence in hard labour.
For the fourth charge which was failing to produce a driving licence, contrary to regulation 47(2) of LI 21(80) the 41-year-old truck driver pleaded not guilty, indicating that his licence had been left in the damaged vehicle.
He has been instructed to present the licence to the court by May 9, 2024, or face potential consequences.”
Presiding judge Prosper Deu-Love Gormashie considered the fact that the convict was married with three children during his sentencing
The court also held that his guilty plea at the first instance did not also waste the time of the court.
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