Durban cyclists death: Motorist found guilty of culpable homicide

Durban cyclists death: Motorist found guilty of culpable homicide

A Durban motorist who ploughed into a group of cyclists two years ago - killing two of them - has been convicted of culpable homicide by the Durban Regional Court.

Courtroom, court case
AFP


Richard Da Silva and Jarryd Dwyer and several other cyclists had been out on a morning ride on the M4 in Durban North when Omesh Ramnarain lost control of his car and crashed into them.

When he took the stand in his own defence earlier this week , Omesh Ramnarain told the court that he had not seen the cyclists as a car he'd been following had obstructed his view. 

He claimed the car in front of him swerved at the last minute - and when it moved away - his windscreen shattered. 

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He told the court that he didn't know if the rock that was found on the floor of his car had hit the windscreen. 

But in his judgement, Magistrate Anand Maharaj rejected Ramnarain's version, saying it was improbable. 

Ramnarain has however been acquitted on a charge of drunken driving.

It's emerged that officials took a blood sample from Ramnarain more than two hours after the accident, rendering the results inadmissible.

Ramnarain's bail has been extended until his sentencing - which is expected to begin next month.

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