£2,000 fine for van driver who knocked down shopper

Friday 09 December 2022

A van driver who failed to report that he had knocked down a shopper in a car park in what he described as a "a momentary lapse of concentration" has been handed a £2,000 fine and a two-month driving ban.

Joao Micael De Abreu Santos was driving out of the car park in front of the shops in Les Quennevais Parade when he hit a man who had just left the butcher’s shop, the Magistrate's Court heard yesterday.

Addressing the court about the accident on 15 September, St. Brelade Centenier Amanda Wright said: "The victim saw the vehicle coming towards him very fast, heading towards the car park exit.

"He thought the driver was going to stop but he saw him looking to the left and realised he was going to get hit."

The Isuzu van struck him on the right leg and made him spin round and fall, injuring his arm, leg and buttock.

Pictured: The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court this week.

"He described himself as near the front wheel," Mrs Wright said.

Santos did stop and speak to the victim but seemed to believe he was unhurt and drove off.

An ambulance and police were called and the victim later said his pain level on a scale of one to ten was around four.

"He still has soreness in his knee," she said.

Santos (31) admitted the charges of careless driving and failing to report an accident.

Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, defending, suggested the accident was down to "a momentary lapse of concentration", and suggested a fine but no driving ban.

He pointed out that when police spoke to Santos they found that he had insurance and had not been drinking alcohol, so said: "There was no incentive or intention to avoid liability."

He added that during his police interview: "He broke down several times when the victim was mentioned.

"He was clearly upset. His remorse is undeniable."

Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu imposed an £800 fine for careless driving and an additional £1,200 fine for failing to report an accident.

He accepted it was "an unusual case", but told Santos: "It was your duty to remain at the scene. I cannot avoid a disqualification."