Bus driver jailed for tram crash death (From Croydon Guardian)

Andrzej Karcz, 28, was decapitated after being thrown from the front window of the bus when bus driver Raouf Mraidi, 29, ran a red light and slammed into a tram.

Mraidi, who was absent from the trial, was last seen on Saturday, November 21 when he went to the house of his surety with his two brothers.

The collision, in September 2008, sent the 468 bus careering down George Street, smashing into shop fronts before it finally came to a halt when it crashed into a parked BMW.

After reviewing the evidence the jury took 25 minutes at Croydon Crown Court to find Mraidi guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was sentenced, in his absence, to four years in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years which was extended indefinitely until he completes a extended driving test.

Judge Warwick McKinnon said: “My heart goes out to the family of the deceased. They will never get over this.”

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Comments (2)

02/12/09

karenkemp@hotmail.co.uk says...

This article is inaccurate. Not only was the tragically deceased's cause of death incorrect but so was the sentancing. The absent defendant was in fact banned from driving for 5 years plus a further sentance for absconding once found however the jail term was correctly published. Finally the most important inaccuracy which is an insult to the family is that the deceased's name was incorrectly spelt. I assume this journalist was present at the trial?! If so, shame on him or her.

06/12/09

Brian B Sewaring says...

More bad driving by drivers who dont understand our traffic light laws. typical