ACKNOWLEDGING that he has received the plea offer of the government and is in the process of reviewing it, Eduardo Fabia, through Assistant Public Defender Vina Seelam, informed the court that he, the defendant, would like to proceed with the trial.
Seelam is also asking Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja to schedule a jury trial for his client.
After a discussion with the parties, the judge said the jury trial will begin on Dec. 6, at 9 a.m.
At the hearing, Fabia appeared out of custody. Chris Hilario served as his interpreter while Assistant Attorney General Steve Kessel appeared for the government.
Fabia, 49, was the driver of the garbage compactor truck that collided with a Honda Ridgeline pickup truck at the Puerto Rico intersection on Feb. 1, 2021.
According to the Department of Public Safety, the two passengers of the pickup were riding in its bed and were thrown out of the vehicle during the collision. Both were rushed to the hospital where one was pronounced dead on arrival. The other passenger was treated and admitted for serious injuries.
The two occupants of the garbage truck — Fabia and his passenger Christopher Lucero — were not injured.
The pickup passenger who died was Raju Miah while the other passenger, Rommel Irang, sustained serious injuries. The pickup’s driver/operator, Quin C. Manglona, was treated at the hospital and discharged.
Fabia was charged with homicide by vehicle, traffic signal violations, speeding, and reckless driving. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Irang filed a separate civil complaint against Fabia and his employer, Artman Environment Corp., in Superior Court accusing them of reckless, careless and negligent driving. Irang is demanding damages.
A personal representative of Miah also sued Fabia and Artman for wrongful death and negligence, and is demanding damages.
Both civil complaints are pending before the court.
