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| Magsino had just parked the car on this slope when it started rolling down, fast |
A verdict has been set for February 26 next year in the case of a Filipina domestic helper who was tried at the District Court on two charges relating to the fatal traffic accident in Central four years ago.
Reshielle L. Magsino, 48, was again released on
$10,000 bail after she appeared before Deputy District Court Judge Tim Casewell
on Friday.
Magsino had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving
that caused the death of a French
woman, and serious injury to four others, after a car she had just parked
rolled at a fast clip down Peel Street in Central in the evening of Dec 10, 2021.
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Killed
in the incident was French national Elodie Ma, who was 27 at the time. She was
rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in critical condition after the incident, and
died less than 24 hours later.
The
four other people who were seriously injured were Truong Lise Pui Yee (who was
initially listed in critical condition but recovered eventually), Riachi
Julien, Moroz Dean Ian and Hui Yat-yuen.
It
took prosecutors two years to charge Magsino in court with one count of
dangerous driving causing death, and another of causing grievous bodily injury.
At
the start of the trial, the court was told Magsino had about nine years of
driving experience at the time. The registered owner of the car was her
employer, but Magsino admitted to police that she was the one driving that night.
Security
cameras showed Magsino and her employer getting out of the vehicle after it was
parked on a steep incline on the roads employer getting out of the car after it
was parked on the sloping street, and was immediately followed by the accused who was in the
driver’s seat.
The
car began rolling down the slope immediately after, with the open door hitting
Magsino who fell. She tried to run after the vehicle but it rolled down fast.
Ma
was shown standing outside a restaurant on Staunton Street when the car rolled
over her, causing severe head injury.
The four
others who were injured were shown chatting on the road. Some were hurt as they
tried to dodge the runaway car, while one was hit by steel railings dislodged
went the vehicle got wedged in them, before coming to a full stop.
Magsino
was arrested by the police at the scene while the victims were rushed to
hospital.
The
case was first heard in the Eastern magistracy but was elevated to the District
Court due to the seriousness of the charges.
Dangerous
driving causing death is punishable with a maximum fine of $50,000 and
imprisonment of up to 10 years. If the act resulted in grievous bodily harm,
the maximum penalty is $50,000 fine and seven years' imprisonment.
