K5000 fine for boy’s death

A BUS driver who caused the death of a seven-year-old boy in a road accident was fined K5000 in default two years imprisonment by a Mt Hagen magistrate yesterday.
Senior magistrate Betty Jacob found Martin Pii, from Yampu in Kompiam-Ambum, Enga, guilty of reckless driving causing death.
Pii was driving a PMV bus in the Tomba section of the highway in Western Highlands on March 28 last year when he hit Makerina Pora who was standing by the side of the road.
The boy died instantly.
Jacob found Pii guilty of speeding and failing to slow down when approaching the damaged section of the road, and, thus, lost control of his steering.
She said Pii also ignored the road signs put up to warn motorists that road repairs were in progress.
Jacob said that if Pii had slowed down, he would have avoided the accident.
Prosecutor John Korua said such accidents had become prevalent. “The court needs to impose a harsh penalty and jail sentence to serve as a warning to other road users,” he added.
In mitigating Pii said: “I am sorry. I have already paid bel kol (compensation) to Pora’s relatives.
“Please give me a non-custodial sentence …”
Jacob ordered a refund of Pii’s K1000 bail, and to remain in custody until he paid the K5000 fine.