Dubai driver who hit South African cyclist to stand trial

DUBAI // The driver who hit a South African cyclist and caused him severe brain injuries in October will stand trial at the Dubai Traffic Misdemeanours Court on Sunday.

The 48-year-old Gulf national will be charged with negligent driving by failing to keep a safe distance between him and the cyclist, endangering the safety of the man's life and damaging other's property.

Richard Holland, 30, was hit by the car in the early hours of October 11 as he cycled from his home in Motor City along Al Qudra Road to the cycle track that heads towards Bab Al Shams.

The cyclist was in the correct lane when the defendant knocked him down. Mr Holland was thrown off his bicycle due to the impact of the collision.

The sales and marketing manager for distribution company Sport in Life was in training for an Ironman contest. He suffered severe injuries to his brain as well as broken ribs, punctured lungs, a fractured sternum and a fractured right fibula.

His mother, Judy Rothschild, flew in from Australia to be by his bedside at Dubai's City Hospital alongside his girlfriend, Krystyna Maciejewski, with whom Mr Holland was planning marriage and a family.

Mr Holland has only been able to communicate by opening and closing his eye.

If found guilty, the driver faces imprisonment of between one month and three years. He also faces a fine of between Dh1,000 and Dh30,000.

salamir@thenational.ae