Six months in prison for fatal collision at construction site
The occupational accident happened on May 21, 2021 when several works were in progress at the same time. That morning, the Polish driver from Ypres was confronted with a crane in a small street. The Polish Ypres resident decided to reverse, but collided with a Portuguese welder from another company.
Faulty reversing camera
The victim was run over while walking from one building to another with a pressure gauge. A fine of 48,000 euros was claimed for the driver’s employer. The main contractor from Oostnieuwkerke is fined 72,000 euros, but he is going for the acquittal.
After all, the labor auditors blamed the Ypres concrete company for inadequate control and maintenance of the work equipment. The manager knew that the reversing camera of the van was defective. However, according to the defense, which requested the acquittal, that camera did work at some moments.
Third van
According to labor auditor Sofie Heyndrickx, Alheembouw should have closed off the street in question and placed signage, so that no one would drive in that place. The defense shows that they were not aware that a third van was coming. The driver should have followed a different route.
Traces of cocaine and heroin were also found in the victim’s blood. Finally, six months in prison and a fine of 800 euros were demanded for the Polish driver. He drove blindly backwards, while he could have noticed the victim before. The defendant was absent from his trial on Friday morning.
The judge will rule on May 26.