Shaikh Zayed Road bus crash driver seeks reduced jail term

Dubai: The Pakistani bus driver who is serving seven years in jail for the December minibus crash which claimed the lives of 10 workers has appeared before the appeal court.

The 26-year-old driver, identified as M.H.H., who was found guilty of reckless driving is seeking clemency and a reduced sentence.

The Dubai Traffic Court of First Instance had earlier sentenced the driver to seven years in jail (the maximum term given in such cases) and ordered him to pay Dh2 million in blood money to the families of those who died.

He was also fined Dh10,000 (the highest fine in such cases is Dh30,000.)

The traffic authorities were seeking the harshest punishment applicable against the driver who caused the bus collision on Shaikh Zayed Road last December. The Traffic Public Prosecution has not appealed the initial verdict.

The driver was earlier charged with reckless driving, causing 10 deaths, endangering lives and injuring 49 workers.

Pleaded guilty

He was also charged with damaging public and private property. He pleaded guilty to the charges. He was also fined Dh100 for failing to show his driving licence.

The accused will also be referred to the Naturalisation and Residency Public Prosecution on charges of illegally working for a different sponsor.

The accident occurred when the bus carrying dozens of workers clipped another bus in the morning rush hour.

The impact caused the bus to overturn and crash through the barrier on Shaikh Zayed Road and come to a halt on the other side of the road.

Police and rescue officials said 15 ambulances and two helicopters were involved in carrying the injured to hospitals. Ambulances started arriving at the Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre at 7.36am, eight minutes after the call came from Dubai Police.

The defendant will be deported after serving his term.