Court deals with
traffic accidents
PHILIPSBURG–The Court of First Instance on Wednesday heard three cases involving road users suspected of having caused traffic accidents. The hearings in two of these cases were suspended until April 4, to grant victims the opportunity to file for damages.
Mark Marsden (30) was sentenced to payment of a NAf.1,500-fine, or to 30 days in case of non-compliance, for having caused a traffic accident on January 13, 2018, while under the influence of marijuana and alcoholic beverages. The victims were a man and his 12-year-old son, who remained unharmed.
According to the victim, Marsden had wanted to leave the scene, but he could not as his vehicle could no longer drive. Both vehicles were damaged, with the cost of repair estimated at US $3,400 in total.
The construction worker by profession denied he had been under the influence and also refuted the victim’s statement that he had been driving on the wrong side of the road.
The Prosecutor found him guilty as charged, including leaving the scene of the accident, and demanded a NAf. 1,500-fine.
The Judge agreed. “You had been drinking too much and could not drive, but you still did, and marijuana also influences your driving skills. Don’t drink and drive,” the Judge told the defendant.
The cases against Z.K.L. (21) and M.L.A. (24) were postponed, granting the victims in these cases the opportunity to present damage claims during the court hearing of April 4.
Z.K.L. is suspected of having caused a hit-and-run at Bishop Hill Road on August 28, 2018, during which three vehicles were damaged and several persons injured.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, all victims were in pain and were taken to the hospital. They had to take medication, but the injuries were light.
M.L.A. was charged with causing an early-morning road accident on November 27, 2016, which involved a driver of a scooter. The woman had hit the scooter while she was overtaking another vehicle while driving on A.J.C. Brouwer Road.
The victim sustained severe injuries to a forearm and one of his hands. The resident of French St. Martin had to travel to Guadeloupe for further treatment, with medical specialists expecting full recovery in two years’ time.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85410-court-deals-with-traffic-accidents
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