Truck Driver Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail for Rail Line Collision

SOURCE: Graphic.com.gh

A 41-year-old truck driver, Abel Dzidotor, has been handed a six-month jail term by the Juapong Circuit Court for abandoning his vehicle on the Tema-Mpakadan rail line, resulting in a collision with a train.

Dzidotor pleaded guilty to three charges, including careless and inconsiderate driving, unauthorized stopping, and unlawful damage, leading to his conviction by Judge Prosper Deu-Love Gormashie.

For careless driving, Dzidotor was fined GH₵1,200, with a default jail term of 20 months. Unauthorized stopping incurred a fine of GH₵240 or five months’ imprisonment, while unlawful damage resulted in a six-month imprisonment in hard labor. These sentences are to be served concurrently.

The case has been adjourned to May 9, 2024.

Brief Facts

According to Detective Chief Inspector Abel Anane, the complainants, Engineer Dr. Divine Olitey and Kwabena Bonsu, consultants of Ghana Railways Authority, reported that Dzidotor was driving a Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018-20.

On April 18, 2024, during a site acceptance test of the new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 001 from Tema to Mpakadan, the train collided with Dzidotor’s unmanned truck, which was obstructing the railway line at an unapproved area in Abortia, a suburb of Juapong.

Dzidotor abandoned the truck without regard for other road users, resulting in severe damage to the truck and some damage to the train.

The prosecutor highlighted that Dzidotor fled to Tagadzi, where he was apprehended and brought before the court.

The sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent accidents and protect lives and property.

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