Minibus driver acquitted in Dubai accident that killed two

Court rules fatal crash was beyond driver's control after front tyre burst

Two people were killed and nine injured in the road accident on Sheikh Zayed Road, in July 2020. Photo: Dubai Police

The driver of a minibus involved in a Dubai accident in which two passengers died and nine others were injured has been cleared of all charges, after a court ruled the incident was beyond his control.

The vehicle's front tyre burst, causing it to veer from its lane and hit a concrete barrier on Sheikh Zayed Road, on July 12, 2020.

Witnesses said the minibus — which was carrying 11 passengers — flipped on its side and was engulfed in flames under Al Manara Bridge.

The Pakistani driver was arrested and charged with causing two wrongful deaths and injuries to nine passengers from India, Italy, Philippines, Egypt, Kurdistan, Morocco, and Kenya.

Initial reports had stated 12 people were injured in the crash, but court records clarified nine were hurt.

Prosecutors said at the time the driver had lost control of the vehicle due to carelessness and not paying attention on the road.

The Dubai Traffic Court convicted the man of the charges and sentenced him to a suspended three-month jail term.

He was fined Dh100,000 and ordered to pay Dh200,000 in blood money to each of the deceased's families.

The court also ordered his deportation and the suspension of his driving licence.

The verdict, however, was subject to appeal.

In May 2021, the Dubai Court of Appeal overturned the initial verdict and acquitted the driver.

Judges based their decision on a technical report by a court-appointed expert who said the accident was caused by force majeure — unforeseeable circumstances beyond the driver’s control.

The report said all the vehicle's wheels were in good condition but one front tyre had cracked and lost pressure after being subjected to an unusual condition on the road, on the day of the accident.

No further details were given in court records on what road conditions had led to the fatal accident.

Prosecutors took the case to the Court of Cassation, the emirate's highest court, requesting a retrial.

They argued against the appeal court's findings, saying they were based only on parts of the technical report and not on other sections they said proved the driver’s liability.

Prosecutors said that the acquittal verdict did not indicate the nature of the force majeure.

Judges rejected the prosecutors' plea last month and upheld the man’s acquittal.

The Cassation Court's verdict is final and not subject to any further appeal.