The prosecution is seeking the death sentence for a man who stole a bus and set off at high speed along the Haramain Highway in November, 2008, killing three people. The Commission for Investigation and Prosecution passed the case on Monday to Jeddah's General Court where three judges have been tasked with hearings which are expected to begin in the next few days. Regour de Padua, a Filipino in his early thirties, stole the 55-seater bus from the premises of Saudia catering in the Khalidiya District at approximately 5.30 A.M. on Nov. 11, 2008, after his girlfriend had reportedly telephoned him to end their relationship. He set off at high speed the wrong way along the Haramain Highway, causing several collisions, one of which resulted in the death of a Saudi man in his twenties and his mother and sister. Investigations revealed that prior to stealing the bus De Padua, who maintained complete silence following his arrest, had appeared at the house of a work colleague carrying a hammer, and when the latter saw him he rapidly locked his door. De Padua then proceeded to offices where he smashed the windows of his manager's car, and when he saw the Sudanese driver of a staff bus descend to perform morning prayers he took the opportunity to get behind the wheel and head out of the company premises, despite the protestations of 12 passengers from Saudi catering who were still on the bus. He reportedly shouted: “If no Filipino speaks to me now, I'm going to crash the bus!” The passengers pleaded with him to stop, which he briefly did, giving the 12 enough time to jump from the windows. Three were injured in their falls, one requiring hospital attention. As De Padua proceeded toward the Haramain Highway he was spotted by police, but he ignored their warnings for him to stop and a 120 kmph-pursuit into oncoming traffic ensued in which at least 18 vehicles were hit. The bus was finally halted at the Palestine Street intersection when it struck a Toyota Corolla head on, killing its three passengers. Officials said that it was only the timing of the incident that prevented greater numbers of casualties.
