The State has led a series of witnesses in the Omesh Ramnarian case at the Durban Regional Court. Ramnarian is facing two counts of culpable homicide and two counts of drunken driving for the deaths of cyclists Jared Dwyer and Richard da Silva.
It is alleged that he ploughed into the two cyclists on the M4 Ruth First Highway in February 2016.
State prosecutor Herman Mouton led evidence from witnesses who were first and second respondents to the accident scene, and from police officials.
The long-awaited trial has garnered widespread emotional responses from the greater Durban community, especially its tight-knit cycling members.
Mouton called the Metro Police’s Senior Superintendant Parbhoo Sewpersadh who testified that the portion of the M4 where the incident took place, does not allow cycling as it is classified as a freeway.
Defense advocate, Murray Pittman, asked Sewpersadh if it was rare to see cyclists in that exact part of the M4. Sewpersadh replied “Yes”.
Detailed and emotional testimony was provided by cyclist Alan Clarke who was in the same group as Dwyer and da Silva on that fateful Saturday morning.
He was cycling just ahead of the pair when he heard the crash, but he says he assumed that a vehicle had hit a barrier.
Seconds later, Clarke says he saw two people airborne, passing him.
This would tragically turn out to be Dwyer and Da Silva.
Clarke further stated that he saw a black VW golf with a smashed windscreen drive past before it stopped.
During cross-examination, Pittman questioned Clarke about his knowledge about the laws governing cyclists on freeways, including the requirement of cycling in single file.
Clarke said he only became aware that cycling was not permitted on that portion of the M4, after the incident.
Doctor Mthetheleli Ndlangisa told the court about his examination of Ramnarian when he was brought in by police just two hours after the incident.
He also drew Ramnarian’s blood to test its alcohol level. Ndlangisa’s report details that Ramnarian’s face and eyes appeared red, that his breath smelled of alcohol and that he was mildly disorientated with his hand movements.
Ndlangisa’s conclusion was that Ramnarian was moderately drunk.
However, Pitmann put it to him that the accused had been on medication for allergies that could have led to the red eyes and face, and that his emotional state at the time could be contributing factors to his unsteady hand movements.
In a written explanation, Ramnarian claims he heard a loud bang when his windscreen shattered.
He denies being drunk.
The State is expected to continue leading evidence when the trial resumes on Wednesday.
