THE driver of a garbage compactor truck that collided with a pick-up, resulting in the death of a passenger, has pled not guilty to the charges of homicide by vehicle, traffic signal violations, speeding, and reckless driving.
Eduardo Fabia, who is represented by Assistant Public Defender Vina Seelam, appeared before Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja on Thursday morning.
The judge was also informed that the amended information charging the defendant had not been filed by the government yet.
Assistant Attorney General J. Robert Glass Jr., who appeared for the government, told the court that the amended information would be filed as soon as possible.
Citing the seriousness of the charges against Fabia, and the need to exercise an abundance of caution, Judge Naraja gave the government until Tuesday, March 2, to file the amended information, adding that the arraignment will continue on March 4 at 9 a.m.
At an earlier preliminary hearing, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo found probable cause to charge Fabia with homicide by vehicle, traffic signal violations, speeding, and reckless driving.
Fabia, 49, was identified as the driver of the Artman Environment Corporation garbage compactor truck that collided with a Honda Ridgeline pick-up truck at the Middle Road-Puerto Rico intersection on Feb. 1, 2021.
According to DPS, the two passengers in the pick-up were riding in the bed of the Honda Ridgeline and were thrown out of the vehicle during the collision.
Both were rushed to the hospital where one of them was pronounced dead on arrival at about 1:39 p.m., Feb. 1, 2021.
The other passenger was treated and admitted for serious injuries. The vehicle operator was treated and released while the two occupants of the garbage truck — Fabia and his passenger, Christopher Lucero — were not injured.
The pick-up passenger who died was Raju Miah while the other passenger, Rommel Irang, sustained serious injuries. The pick-up’s driver/operator, Quin C. Manglona, was treated at the hospital and discharged.
Irang filed a separate civil complaint against Fabia and Artman Environment Corp. in Superior Court, demanding damages.
