Truck Driver Jailed for 6 Months After Abandoning Vehicle on Rail Line, Leading to Train Collision

The Juapong Circuit Court has sentenced a 41-year-old truck driver to six months in jail for abandoning his vehicle on the Tema-Mpakadan rail line, causing a collision with a train. Abel Dzidotor pleaded guilty to three charges, including careless and inconsiderate driving, unauthorized stopping, and unlawful damage.

Judge Prosper Deu-Love Gormashie presided over the case, sentencing Dzidotor to a fine of GH₵1,200 for careless driving, with a default sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment. Unauthorized stopping incurred a fine of GH₵240 or five months’ imprisonment, while unlawful damage led to a six-month imprisonment in hard labor. The sentences are to run concurrently, and the case has been adjourned to May 9, 2024.

Detective Chief Inspector Abel Anane provided the following brief facts: Engineer Dr. Divine Olitey and Kwabena Bonsu, consultants of Ghana Railways Authority, reported that Dzidotor Abel, driving a Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018-20, abandoned the truck on the rail line at an unapproved area in Abortia, Juapong, during a site acceptance test of the new Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 001 on April 18, 2024. This led to a collision with the train, causing irreparable damage to the truck and some damage to the train.

The accused driver was arrested at Tagadzi after going into hiding and brought before the court.`