فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Court of First Instance in Berrechid issued its verdict on Wednesday in a case that has shaken Moroccan public opinion, concerning the young girl “Ghaitha,” who was the victim of a horrific hit-and-run accident on Sidi Rahal beach last June 15. The court sentenced the driver to 10 months in prison and fined him 500 dirhams.
The court also ordered the defendant to pay 40,000 dirhams in financial compensation to the victim’s family, a decision seen as a partial response to the family’s demands. In a notable twist, the court excluded the insurance company from the compensation file, forcing the defendant to bear the full financial cost.
The Case File and Established Facts
This verdict came after the court established that the defendant had driven his vehicle on the sand dunes of the beach, in clear violation of regulations. Conversely, the court acquitted the defendant of the charge of “tampering with the scene of the accident.”
The court based its ruling on a weighty medical expert report, which revealed the extent of the child’s suffering. The report indicated that the victim suffered a serious skull fracture and requires ongoing medical and psychological support. The medical expertise also recorded that the child is suffering from a total temporary disability of 120 days and a permanent partial disability of 80%, in addition to behavioral disorders, sudden crying fits, and sleep difficulties.
A Case That Sparked a Storm of Anger
This case was not merely a random incident; it evolved into a matter of widespread public outrage in Morocco, especially after videos were broadcast showing behavior that many deemed “insolent” from some of the defendant’s relatives. This inflamed public sentiment and increased pressure on the judiciary to issue a just and deterrent ruling.
Justice Has Spoken
With this verdict, justice has had its say in the face of the tragedy of “Ghaitha,” responding to some extent to the demands of a protesting public that called for the firm prosecution of the person responsible for the accident and for the victim and her family to be compensated in a manner befitting the severe physical and moral harm they endured.
This ruling is considered a step toward closing a painful chapter, but it leaves open questions about the child’s future and her family’s ability to provide the long-term medical and psychological care she needs.
