Court rules conditional release for driver arrested for hitting traffic cop with taxi

The Criminal Court has ruled that the driver had not broken any laws in the recent accident where a taxi turning onto the SinaMale' Bridge from Velana International Airport hit a traffic policeman on duty on the bridge.

The car veered out of control and rammed into the police officer who was standing in the middle of the bridge on duty to direct traffic. A video circulating on social media shows the traffic policer being thrown into the air on impact and hitting the ground hard.

The driver of the taxi, a 37 year old man, was arrested on the scene. When taken to court yesterday to extend his detention, he stated that he had not caused the accident on purpose.

Police sought to extend his detention on charges of violence, threat of violence and other threatening behaviour. However, the Court ruled that he be released, placing some conditions.

The Court order states that the incident report does not indicate that any laws were contravened by the driver in operating his vehicle that day.

The man, who has no previous record, said in court that he admits his car did hit the traffic policeman, and stated that right after the accident occurred, he had stopped the car and gone to the policeman and apologized. He further said that he would cooperate with any related police investigations.

Police said in court that the driver's license has been confiscated, and his vehicle towed.

They further said that the traffic policeman involved in the accident did not sustain any injuries beyond scraping his forearm and palm.

The video of the accident circulating on social media indicates that the taxi attempts to change direction to avoid a police car travelling with its siren on from the direction of the Hulhumale' Highway. However, in this attempt to change direction, the car lost control and rammed into the traffic policeman instead.

Taxi hits on-duty traffic cop, driver arrested

The Edition