EDUARDO Fabia, who is on trial for a fatal traffic accident that happened on Feb. 1, 2021, testified that “there is no doubt the light was green when he crossed” the Puerto Rico intersection on Middle Road.
At the time, Fabia was driving a garbage truck that collided with a pickup truck, killing one of its passengers, and seriously injuring the other.
He was charged with homicide by vehicle, traffic signal violations, speeding, and reckless driving.
Fabia, 50, who is represented by the Public Defender’s Office, was called to testify after the prosecution rested its case on Wednesday.
Fabia told the jurors that his attention was on the road that day and he was familiar with the traffic lights and speed limits in the Puerto Rico area.
He said he told police investigators that he was in the outer lane and the lights were green. “I’m sure,” he added.
Fabia said he was neither looking at a cell phone nor talking to his passenger, Christopher Lucero, adding that he was focused on the road.
He also had “no issues with my eyes. Got eyes checked in December [2020]. Doctors said my eyes were okay and I was issued a certification for driving.”
Fabia said he also had no issues when renewing his driving certification.
“I have no doubt that the light was green. It turned green after a few seconds after [I] pass[ed] [the] Army Reserve [Center],” he said.
The jury trial began on Monday and will continue Thursday, May 26, at 9 a.m. Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan is presiding over the trial.
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 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 was later discharged.
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.
