Ukrainian Man Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Crash That Killed GAA Broadcaster

Bohdan Bezverkhyi, a Ukrainian national residing in Ballinhassig, Co Cork, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing the death of GAA broadcaster Paudie Palmer. The incident occurred on December 29, 2022 at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, Co Cork.

During the trial, the court heard evidence that Bezverkhyi had texted a friend on the day of the incident, describing himself as a "moron" and admitting that he was "in the wrong 100%", had driven off, and was drunk. The prosecution argued that Bezverkhyi had a stop line and stop sign against him, and that a motorist coming onto the junction would have had an unrestricted 150m view of traffic.

However, the defense counsel stated that while Bezverkhyi had accepted responsibility for failing to remain at the scene, he was adamant that he was not guilty of dangerous driving causing death. The defense urged the jury to accept Bezverkhyi's evidence that he came to the stop line, stopped, and then the collision occurred suddenly when he went to look left.

The court also heard evidence from Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margaret Bolster that Palmer suffered a traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries in the collision, and passed away from his injuries on January 8, 2023. It was noted that Palmer was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which would have increased his vulnerability.

The case is ongoing, with Bezverkhyi being assisted in court by a Russian interpreter. The jury is expected to commence their deliberations after the judge's address.

In a separate case, Elmer Endaya Passion, a 47-year-old Filipino, was sentenced to three months and two weeks in jail for dangerous driving that led to the death of a student in Brunei. The incident occurred on April 24, 2019 when Passion attempted to make an illegal U-turn, resulting in a crash that killed the victim's son and injured the victim.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Adam Marmont, a 27-year-old from Witney, was sentenced to two years in prison for dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified after leading police on a 12-mile chase and crashing into another vehicle. Marmont has a history of driving offenses, with 17 previous convictions for 60 offenses.

The trial of Bohdan Bezverkhyi highlights the serious consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of remaining at the scene of an accident. In the case continues, the court will carefully consider the evidence presented to determine Bezverkhyi's guilt or innocence in the tragic death of Paudie Palmer.

Key Takeaways

• Ukrainian man pleads not guilty to dangerous driving causing death of GAA broadcaster
• Prosecution argues defendant had stop sign, defense claims sudden collision
• Victim suffered traumatic brain injury, not wearing seatbelt at time of crash
• Filipino man jailed for dangerous driving leading to student's death in Brunei
• UK man sentenced to 2 years for dangerous driving, police chase, and prior offenses