High Court upholds acquittal of motorcyclist in 2010 fatal accident

High Court has upheld a lower court ruling acquitting a motorcyclist charged over the death of a woman who was struck while crossing the road in Male' 15 years ago.

The accident occurred in 2010 on Buruzu Magu, when a woman and her grandchild were crossing the street. The woman later died while receiving treatment for her injuries.

The motorcyclist had been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the fatality. However, the Criminal Court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt, finding that the characteristics required to establish a criminal offence were not met. The Prosecutor General’s Office later appealed the verdict.

In its judgment, High Court noted that the victim had not used a designated pedestrian crossing and that the area was busy with traffic at the time of the accident. The court said evidence suggested the woman may have been obscured from view by a car, making it difficult for the motorcyclist to see her even while driving cautiously.

Medical reports showed the victim suffered a head injury consistent with a fall, though it was unclear whether she had been directly struck by the motorcycle. The court found no visible signs of impact from a collision and said witness statements could not establish whether the woman fell after being hit or out of fear of an approaching motorcycle.

The judges concluded that while the woman’s death was linked to the incident, the evidence did not prove that the motorcyclist had been driving dangerously or recklessly.

 High Court ruled there was no reason to overturn the Criminal Court’s acquittal.