Accused ordered to check claim

By HEZRON KISING
THE Lae District Court has ordered the police and a man accused of causing a traffic accident that resulted in a death to establish whether the Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd claim was already paid to the victim’s family.
Magistrate Edward Kupo last week instructed Paul Berem from Western Highlands, who was an employee of Ramu Agri Industries (RAI) when the incident happened in December last year: “You are to indicate clearly how much money has already been paid to the family of the deceased as bel kol (money given to the victim’s family to calm tensions) and as insurance from the vehicle’s insurance company.
“The company’s compensation on behalf of the accused was one thing; the motor vehicle insurance of the vehicle is another thing to cover for damages and injuries caused.”
Kupo said most times relatives and families of victims claimed a lot of money from vehicle owners and companies which was not good.
“We have laws under the Motor Traffic Act to deal with accidents and insurance issues,” he said.
“Responsible government agencies should seriously look into this issue in terms of law on compensation payments.
“An accident is an accident
“There was no intension of killing, damaging or causing injuries to someone or a property.
“Papua New Guineans have to stop this attitude and habit of demanding compensation claims when accidents happend.
“If the court finds the accused guilty of the offence, then the law will deal with him or her accordingly.”
The court heard that Berem was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Nathan Konga on Dec 28, 2018.
It was alleged that Berem was doing company runs from Ramu to Lae with two other employees of RAI when he allegedly ran over Konga along the Highlands Highway between the Erap station and Nadzab junction.
It was claimed that the accused was driving when he saw a pothole on his lane and to avoid it, he switched lanes than reverted to his lane when he was surprise that Konga, who was riding a bicycle, was in his lane.
That was when the accident took place.
Konga was taken to the Angau Hospital but was pronounced dead.
Berem told the court that RAI had paid K25,000 as bel kol and to repatriate the body to his home province of Jiwaka.
However, the vehicle insurance or basic protection claim from RAI as the owner was still to be paid.
The case continues on July 31.