AG files indictments against driver in traffic OIC hit-and-run accident

The Attorney General (AG) today (Jul 26) filed indictments against the driver of a defender jeep involved in the hit-and-run accident which resulted in the death of a Borella Traffic OIC at the Colombo High Court.

AG Dappula de Livera had filed charges against the suspect, Navindu Umesh Ratnayake, under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

The accident occurred on February 24 at 4.30am when the officer-in-charge (OIC) of Traffic at the Borella Police was setting out on duty on his motorcycle when he was run over by the jeep.

Police officer, IP Ananda Sagara Sarathchandra, who was injured at the location of Dupli-Bullers junction in Bambalapitiya, subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

AG De Livera charged that the jeep bearing the number WPFZ 9143 had been travelling at an excessive speed towards Wellawatte when the traffic lights had signalled red at the time of the accident.

The jeep which had been travelling along with another Land Cruiser jeep, had "fled the scene without taking steps either to take the injured to the hospital or to report the incident to Police", the AG said in the indictment documents.

Eight suspects who had been arrested over the incident were later granted bail.

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