A Rarotonga man is on trial for careless driving causing injury and refusing a breathalyser test after allegedly causing a motorcycle accident.

John Paul Wilson, charged with two counts of careless driving causing injury and refusing a breathalyser test, appeared before Chief Justice Patrick Keane and 12 jurors at the High Court in Avarua yesterday.

It is alleged that on November 26, 2022, Wilson drove carelessly causing injury to a motorcycle driver and passenger. On the same day, Wilson refused to take a breathalyser test.

Wilson, who denied all charges, is represented by lawyer Norman George. The Crown was represented by Mariata Pittman and Jamie Crawford.

Pittman in her opening submission said that after midnight, the victim, a staff member at Tamarind Bar and Restaurant, drove his motorcycle from Ngatangiia where he picked up another work colleague and was heading back towards Tupapa.

She said that as the two vehicles (the victim’s motorcycle and Wilson’s vehicle) approached Super Brown, the defendant’s vehicle crossed over the centreline and collided with the motorcycle.

Pittman said the motorcyclist was injured and the passenger had an injury to her thigh bone.

She told the jury that the motorcyclist’s blood alcohol level was below the legal limit.

At the scene, Wilson admitted to the police he had been drinking and he refused a breathalyser test, she said.

He also refused a breathalyser test at the police station.

Wilson’s lawyer, George, told the jury the victim in this case drove too close to the accused and the victim caused the accident.

The trial continues today.