Dubai: A man who ran over former Arab triathlon champion, Roy Nasr, and killed him in a drink-driving accident on September 6, has been jailed for one month.
The 24-year-old Filipino employee, W.J., was also ordered to pay Dh200,000 in blood money to Nasr’s family after the Dubai Traffic Misdemeanour Court pronounced him guilty on Monday morning.
The court also seized W.J.’s driving licence for three months after he pleaded guilty earlier this month and conveyed his apologies to the family of the 50-year-old Lebanese.
When the Filipino appeared in court, he apologised for his actions and confessed to a long list of charges.
Traffic prosecutors charged W.J. with drinking alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol before he ran over a group of three cyclists, including Nasr, on a Friday near the Safa Park interchange.
The Filipino was charged with causing the accidental death of Nasr and causing moderate injuries to his fellow cyclists, Briton S.Z. and American A.T.
W.J. was also accused of wrecking a car and the bicycles.
Records said Nasr and his cycling friends, S.Z. and A.T., were knocked down from the back by W.J., who suddenly swerved as they pedalled towards Meydan.
Police arrested the driver immediately after the accident that occurred around 5.30am near Safa Park while the cyclists were crossing Shaikh Zayed Road.
When the judge listed the accusations against W.J., he confessed to his charges contending: “I am sorry for what happened.”
Monday’s judgement remains subject to appeal within 15 days.
Nasr was a former Arab triathlon champion and finished third at the 2011 World Triathlon Championships in Beijing. He co-founded TriDubai.
Nasr, a former vice-president of HR and Development at Emirates Catering, was one of the most active triathletes in the region.
