Cape Town - The man accused of a hit-and-run on a cyclist in Llandudno more than two months ago has again been excused from court proceedings while he continues his travels abroad with his wife.
Meanwhile, Alriza Reid, who was left in a critical condition in hospital when a man driving a silver BMW crashed into her while she had been cycling along Victoria Road in Llandudno on September 28, is recovering well.
On Friday, Raymond Evans, the man charged as the driver of the vehicle, was not present in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court when Magistrate Siviwe Yaki postponed the matter.
At his previous court appearance, Yaki had excused Evans from proceedings after the court heard that he would be abroad travelling for a few months.
Attorney Mushtak Parker, who appeared on behalf of Evans, said he was waiting for further particulars from the State before consultations could begin. Parker has not been formally appointed to represent Evans and is expecting to hand over to another attorney at a later stage. According to the State, further particulars were available on Thursday and was “on the system” by Friday for Parker to access.
Parker said Evans was still abroad, where he had met up with his wife. The State requested that a warrant of arrest be held over for Evans in the event he did not return.
Yaki asked: “Why would I issue a warrant when I’m the one who made the order?”
She said if Evans did not return on the day he was expected to be present in court, she would issue a warrant for his arrest.
Reid had been a part of a group of 12 riders that day, training for the Coronation Double.
It is alleged that Evans had been driving home from a party at around 9am when he drove into Reid. It was further alleged that he drove off with the bicycle wheel stuck under the car.
Police later found blood splatters on the car’s door, according to the State.
Evans faces an array of charges including driving under the influence with an alternative charge of reckless and negligent driving and a second charge of failure to stop and ascertain Reid’s injuries, after he allegedly drove away from the scene.
Further charges were added later, related to the National Traffic Act, including failure to render assistance to an injured person, failure to stop after an accident, deliberately causing a bicycle to swerve from side to side, failure by the driver to ascertain the nature and extent of damage after an accident, removing a vehicle involved at an accident scene without authorisation and continuing to drive a vehicle in circumstances where temporarily forbidden to do so, among others.
The matter was postponed to February for the defence to receive further particulars and Evans will once more be excused from proceedings on that day.
City Cycling Club ride co-ordinator Duncan Nel, said Reid was “doing very well and recovering very nicely” despite still having some trouble with her jaw. He said she had received support from people around the world.
“She loves cycling but is more of a runner, and she can’t wait to get back on the road again,” Nel added.
Cape Argus