Man to pay Dh200,000 blood money for killing Emirati woman in Dubai

The Dubai Traffic Court has sentenced a 22-year-old Emirati man to six months in jail and suspended his driving licence for three years, starting from the date of completion of his prison term.

The court, presided over by Judge Ahmed Fathi Salama, convicted the defendant of the charge of causing by mistake the death of a 31-year-old Emirati female athlete, Mizna Abdullah Ali. It also ordered him to pay a Dh12,000 fine and Dh200,000 as blood money to the victim's heirs.

The accused was also found guilty of charges of causing damage to others' property, driving with an expired car's registration and making changes to the vehicle's engine and increasing the tinting of the glass in addition to racing with another car. 

Advocate-General and head of the Traffic Prosecution Salah Bou Farroucha Al Falasi said a collision incident was reported in the end of May between a 4WD and a bicycle on Al Meydan Street, resulting in the death of the female bicyclist.

Under direct instructions from the Dubai Attorney-General Eissam Issa Al Humeidan, the public prosecution began its probe into the accident.

Senior prosecutor Abdullah Bin Salmeen Al Suwaidi oversaw the whole interrogation of the defendant (driver of the 4WD).

The accused and witnesses were interrogated. All necessary technical reports were received from the Bur Dubai Police.

The investigation concluded that the accused was driving a vehicle with an expired plate licence, modifying the vehicle's engine without permission, unlawfully overly tinting the glass and racing with another car while driving above the speed limit.

Due to the wrong overtaking on the road shoulder, the motorist ran into the victim (bicyclist). The victim, who was riding her bicycle on the road shoulder, was consequently thrusted 13 meters to the left lane of the street.

The victim succumbed to her critical injuries on the spot.

The public prosecution referred the defendant to the Traffic Court on a charge sheet that penalties (including blood money) be inflicted on him, as per the Federal Traffic Law and the Federal Penal Code. He was charged with causing by mistake the victim's death, damaging others' property, driving with an expired car's registration, adding major modifications to the car's engine, exceeding the allowed tinting of the glass and racing with another unknown car.

Counselor Al Falasi said the accused was convicted based on the investigation of the public prosecution and the technical accident reports. He stressed the verdict is subject to appeal by both the defendant and the public prosecution.

The traffic chief prosecutor urged all motorists to be highly careful and alert while behind the wheel and comply with the traffic laws for the safety and best interest of all.