Colliding vehicle hits and injures pedestrian |22 August 2013

The police are investigating a collision between two vehicles, one of which hit and injured a nearby pedestrian in the process.
According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport, the incident occurred in the late hours of Friday August 16 in the vicinity of the IDC car park.

The pedestrian victim, a juvenile female, suffered injuries to her legs and was transported to the Seychelles Hospital for observation and treatment.

The two drivers involved in the accident were taken to the police station where a breathalyser test on them indicated that the level of alcohol in their bodies was over the legal limit.
Besides being charged with drunk driving, additional charges relating to the injuries suffered by the pedestrian are also being considered by the police.

Commenting on the incident, police commissioner Ernest Quatre said: “We continue to register complaints of delinquent and unacceptable behaviour among some and in particular those who test the will and patience of society and the law by driving recklessly on our public roads, either by engaging in street racing, or by drinking alcoholic beverages and driving or even doing both, acts which are dangerous and which show without a doubt a total disregard or appreciation for either their safety or for the safety of others.”

For his part, the minister responsible for police, Joël Morgan, added: “As a parent the accident of course strikes near and dear to me.  No parent wants to receive a telephone call from the hospital or from the police that their child or children have been injured or worse yet, killed, as a result of being hit by a vehicle.  Compounding their pain and distress, knowing that the driver or drivers involved may have been under the influence of alcohol, is worse yet.  The Seychelles Police will simply not tolerate such behaviour and as a society we cannot afford to be complacent or tolerate such criminal conduct. I am confident that the investigation once completed will show the cause for both the collision and the injuries suffered to the young girl and that the appropriate steps will be taken against those responsible for breaking any laws.”

The police are in the meantime monitoring reports and other complaints of drivers who are racing on the public roads at certain known locations and from information gathered will be actively engaging those either identified to be breaking the law or where observed by the police, responding to detain and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, with appropriate charges.

In the meantime the police would like to remind the public at large that where street races are observed or other suspicious and or dangerous acts are seen, that a telephone call to 133 may be placed to report the concern, this in strict confidence and anonymously.