Inspector back on job after sports car smash
Car smashed by a DVDL inspector (Photo courtesy of Cayman 27)
(CNS): A vehicle examiner working at the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) who smashed a customer’s sports car into a light pole during an inspection in July has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is back on the job. Although Arek Ebanks was given a traffic citation by police for careless driving shortly after the incident, his bosses found “no evidence to suggest that the driver’s actions or omissions were in bad faith”.
The DVDL issued a statement Thursday saying that it had conducted a “comprehensive internal investigation into the matter”.
The report concluded that the accident was a result of the driver not being familiar with the performance capabilities of the vehicle in question, and it was clearly human error that caused the accident but the inspector had not intended to damage the car.
The DVDL said it had employed the services of Colin Redden, an independent expert in crash analysis, who found there were several factors that played a role in the accident. “The expert opinion is that, at the time of collision, the vehicle was traveling between 30 and 40 miles per hour,” officials from DVDL said.
Given the findings of the report, Director David Dixon said that not only was there no evidence to suggest that the driver’s actions or omissions were in bad faith, his actions were not considered to be a breach of the Public Service Code of Conduct. Ebanks had been assigned to desk duties as a driving examiner during the review but he has since been transferred back to his duties as a vehicle examiner.
The crash happened at lunch time on 11 July on Crew Road, not far from the main DVDL inspection office. Ebanks was driving a 1996 Toyota Supra as part of the car’s inspection when he lost control of the car, mounted the medium and hit the pole. The car was badly damaged and officials have indicated that the government risk department has dealt with the repair costs.
Another car that was damaged after the light pole came down who witnessed collision said it appeared the car was being taken for a “joy ride”.
The witness told CNS at the time, “He was zig-zagging at high speed in and out of the lanes and lost complete control of the vehicle …I was driving out of town, heard him rev right behind me, and I saw him swerve at top speed and jump in front of me. He crashed into the median, rode up the light pole and I swerved away from his car to avoid any further contact.”
CNS has requested a copy of the report and the DVDL said it expected that the document would be available on its website shortly.
Category: Local News
I remember when I first arrived on island some years ago and took my car for an Inspection for the first time . After the usual checks the gentleman doing the inspection asked for my paperwork the mileage the asked me without looking up from his clipboard ” do you believe that the lord Jesus Christ is the one true lord and only through him will you enter heaven ? ” . I thought I misheard and asked him to repeat which he did. Now I am an agnostic with atheist leanings and this made me uncomfortable. I was new to island and didn’t know how things work etc .. So just mumbled ” yeah , sure” . He just handed me back my documents and went on his way.
Where I’m from a government worker who did that would be in a lot of trouble ( cue crys of ‘ go home then ‘). I’m not saying he should have , I’m just using this as an example of how I found out the ‘normal’ rules of society don’t apply here .
No wonder the CI has a reputation of tax heaven,they must add to it” Crime heaven.” Everything is allowed here with no consequences. animals sodomy, child’s rape, vehicular homicides, doctor’s malpractices and destroying personal property by a shipping company.
This case has made it very clear of one thing.
No matter which Government is supposed to be running this Country.
Certain civil servants are making a mockery of the system.
And it would take a serious efforts to “drain the swamp” of Cayman.
I know few Civil Servants that left the employment of the Government simply because they have said they cannot take the crap and cover up any longer. There are still some decent hard working and still caring Government workers in the system. But they do get tired of the crap.
We can only hope that we do not end up with getting anymore of the other Island nationality over here in Cayman that would ruin Cayman completely. We are already taken over in the Police department. Social services, Hospital and many other areas.
It’s ironic to say but, The Englishman and Jamaican and even the Filipinos look out for their own. So in a twisted strange way, we do have to sit back and shake it off. Because we have seen enough corruption on a greater level involving all nationalities covering for their own people in the past and it will always continue.
Stop blaming the elected Government and voting them out every four years while we wonder why they all continue to fail. This is the reason they fail. Inside sabotage.
Note to the next Government Get ready to drain the swamp and get rid of the leechers. Be prepared to Stop everything for a day or 2 and just clean house from the inside.
If you do it right maybe you can then come tell me how to run my house or business.
To some extent this person not being fired is almost as if a very serious case of Blackmail is taking place. There is no logical reason why not even a 3 month suspension or just even a day. How could it come to the conclusion that the inspector did no wrong?
And how dare that person import such a vehicle to the Cayman Islands? Its his fault. after all if he did not bring the vehicle in for inspection the inspector would not be in this scenario. (As sarcastic as possible with a big wink wink).
Your post makes a lot of sense, but you offer no workable solution. Our government is the worst offender!
Wow…all this talk of accountability – especially by our newcomers happy to forward their imported experiences and perspectives.
How about you guys go demand accountability from your leaders and governments for; illegal invasions, war crimes, migration crises, global instability, economic crises, the “return” of the far-right in your home countries instead or crucifying solo car inspector Arek for foolishly crashing a car and injuring himself?
Ffs?!
Anyway Cayman. Welcome to the snapshot of your future peers in the local judicial system.
Yep, the 1st world has truly arrived to the backward Cayman Islands.
Awesome.
– Who
poor who….the usual nonsense…
why can you not address the issue in your own land without looking overseas????
two wrongs don’t make a right!
You and your colleagues are very sad people.
Get some damn perspective in your lives.
– Who
Because that’s how who works . Misdirection . Smoke and mirrors . How dare you say this about cayman when your country is involved in a war for oil… ( as if the two things are remotely connected ) . The next time a Caymanian talks to about Brexit I shall reply with ‘ how dare you question our choices ..someone sodomized a pony in south sound ‘ ridiculous eh ? But exactly what Who does .
Not holding some one accountable for his actions is the first step toward anarchy. Ask yourself. Do you trust this country/government to be fair with you? Do you agree with their laws and the way they apply them?
Nope #Resist
And I only thought the USA could be so screwed up. Pound for pound, everything equal, your rock protruding the ocean is completely insane. The fifth largest financial center resides on a 3rd world island.
Say what you want about this man…in this particular situation, not only should he be fired, he should see jail time too. But, you don’t even slap his wrist.
It seems the more serious the crime in cayman, the more leniency the courts give you. Something’s not right here…
I guess your great big USA must be so great that you had to leave it to come to our third world island?
I DID leave the U.S. because I was fed up with their politicians and corruption, but I found here’s no real difference here.
So when are you planning to go back?
It’s all about the KYD. Make its value depreciat and you’ll find the outbound flights booked to the hilt.
Wouldn’t mind just to see who has Cayman at heart….
Once I’ve earned enough and can still get out with my pension . Next question ?
You don’t like here there are flights leaving all day everyday! Go home fix your country!
So , the first two stories I read on here tonight are about this clown being cleared of all wrongdoing and more tragically about the other clown getting a couple of months prison for mowing someone down and leaving them to die . It would appear to be Caymanian and hold any kind of position in the public sector pretty much makes you immune for any blame , for anything , ever.
XXXXXXX
Oh my one minute I hear everyone complaining about the number of civil servants on paid leave now people are complaining because a civil servant was not suspended for a traffic offence. Complain complain complain so boring.
You left out the guy that hit someone and let them bleed to death while he polished skull fragments from his car. That’s why you’re so bored. Ya leavin out the good stuff. You need to focus.
You know what else is sad, the car-owner is also a Gov employee so he cannot throw a fit about this without worrying about losing his own job.
All Caymanian civil servants can vote but cannot express any negative comment or dissatisfaction against their Government or departmental dysfunction without fear of termination – fire for freedom of speech and democracy, but yet they defend corruption, negligence, disobedience and outright disregard for taxpayer’s money.
If the leaders have dirty hands then why should we expect the puppets the control to be clean?
Well said. @ 3:24pm
Read the Editorial in the Compass, and decide whether Dixon’s public statement is likely to prejudice the court hearing of the offenses with which he has been charged. And why wasn’t the “expert” review made by someone engaged by RCIPS.
Of course it was going 30-40 MPH! Before being accelerated to 60 or 70!
Ridiculous, no accountability in the police force with children being raped and molested and officers sitting on evidence and witnesses until the case is useless to the judge.
MLAs spending Government money on gambling but yet they are proclaimed Christians in a community so “God-fearing” that we can’t build a casino.
Premier attacking newspapers for their honesty about corruption, from top to bottom and all around what is sad is that our civil service is stocked with Caymanians – this does not say much about our bloodline. Oh boy.
By the way, to any supporters of Mr. Ebanks, I’m sure most commenters aren’t mad at him as much as they are that civil service and government have no accountability. I don’t wish the kid any ill will and I am very thankful no one was seriously hurt or killed in this accident. This lack of accountability is rampant throughout government and most people here are sick of it. Ship bangs up the reef? Not our fault Bobo. Drop a shipping container and destroy the contents valued at over $75k? Not our fault Bobo.
I mean, over and over again I can name instances where a Gov’t employee does something absolutely reprehensible, reckless or dishonest and nothing but a slap on the wrist and a free paid vacation. This is part of the reason this island has so many problems.
Thank Godness the Civil Service cares about its employees. People are fired in the private sector just because they are suspected of being guilty. They just pay them the maximum for unfair dismissal and say good bye. What caring and responsible employers.
The Civil Service is a model employer. Get used to it folks and try and treat your employees the same way.
Why is a goverment employee driving peooples cars around for inspection this just doesnt happen in the rest of the world,, a machanic does a visual inspection and thats all
Jus’ to chec’ it.
Someone mentioned to check his facebook page so i did. There must be more than one. I cant possibly have the right one. That cant be a goverment employee with those posts, can it?
civil service finest….
That is a different one I assure you. Although that one is still an employee of CIG it appears
Then someone should warn this other unfortunate fella that his facebook profile is receiving unfortunate attention lol.
Then I hope that all owners of damaged vehicles & CUC file suit against him personally for costs to repair/replace their vehicles & pole. He shuld not have taken the vehicle onto the road. Simple.
Not much surprises me anymore but, this is just unbelievable. Why was that car on the road? The fact it was off the DVDL lot should be a serious violation in and of itself. Judging by the accident photo it is only by the Grace of God no one was hurt including himself. The thing is, if he had hurt someone based on the DVDL’s response there would still be no repercussions since he hadn’t technically done anything wrong because there was lack of intent….? Negligence does not need to be intentional but, there should still be consequences.
9:00. Yes the court will give him a penalty. All of the negative comments here won’t change a thing.
sick
This is why we are losing so many of our young people, one mistake and everybody want to stone him to death. He is someone’s son, brother. Suppose he was yours? Would all of you respond the same way. My dear young man, I do not know you but let this be a lesson to you in the future, learn from your mistake and do not let anyone define you by their angry comments. This is only a little ripple in your life. Show the nayesayers that you will not accept all the negative comments and rise above it.
*8.42 pm this “little ripple” could have killed someone. Just because he is Caymanian you actually support him, would you say the same for a Jamaican?.
We are losing our young people because we are allowing them to learn by facing the consequences of their poor choices and decisions so they continue heading in the wrong direction.
I want to know if the vehicle has been paid for by govt. Or are they absolving themselves of that responsibility also.
I am so proud of all the improvements in the Civil Service over the last few years. Another glorious day! Keep up the good work everyone.
David Dixon must have missed that very important part of the Code of Conduct which forbids public officers from bringing their department or the Government into disrepute!!!
So “Crash” Ebanks is back behind the wheel inspecting cars for government.
Question: Do I really want “Crash” driving my car?
True. I for one will simply ask for another inspector and not Arek Ebanks if he is the one dealing the next time I go for inspection.
I’ve renamed him A-wreak Ebanks. Total disgrace to say the least. Shame!?
Do Caymanians really agree with that kind of governance? Honestly, I’m baffled that there isn’t an uproar from the local public. Are Caymanians really that lenient toward their government?
Too many physics are on this site. They can tell someone guilt without every hearing their side of the story , know when some one is joy riding as opposed to losing control of a car. Knows the decision of court before it is given. Stop the hate.
The physics is Ek=1/2mv^2… That car must have been really moving to do that much damage!
11;22 Its people like you that Cayman is how it is , you are most likely his kin or friend, when some one does wrong its too many people backing them, but hardly anyone backing the good ones, the govt. gives mostly the bad workers a raise and the really good workers does not get a raise, some poor excuse, cayman stinks, clean house next election also the deputy Governor should be elected.
It is f*#k joke to civil servants. I hope they will ran out of luck and be out of work. He should be fired long time ago.
Wow I didn’t know we had so many traffic experts and accident reconstruction experts who post on this site. This case is obviously beyond your intellect. Let the experts make the decisions please.
11:14 I spent three years attending serious and fatal RTAs in the UK so I’ve spent more time watching people being cut out of wrecks than I care to remember.
Anyone who claims that car was only doing 30-40mph needs to come forward, identify themselves and explain the logic behind that conclusion. In my opinion the debris trail and the damage to the rear of the car both raise serious questions about how accurate that speed estimate is so it would be useful to hear the expert’s version of events as he saw them to balance things up.
The simple fact that DVDL have relied on their own anonymous expert and not the RCIPS crash investigation, which in due course will be produced in court, raises more than a few questions about what the heck is going on here. Next thing we know they’ll be trying to blame the car itself for the crash.
Just got to correct my own comment at 8:40 – the official DVDL statement on this actually does try to blame the handling characteristics of the car for the crash. LOL, if that wasn’t in black and white on an official document I’d say it was a joke.
Hate much?
Government might want to check those light poles if a car traveling at 30 – 40 mph can scythe them off at the base. The Supra is a solid, heavy vehicle, but…….
The poles are designed to drop on an impact which would normally be serious enough to inflict more serious injury, when compared to the older solid poles. As such they are hollow, light alloy and have a base that is designed to release the pole in such incidents as Mr. Ebanks’ collision.
Oh great – so positioned on a centre median, a light tap brings them down, and in heavy traffic flow involves way more vehicles coming the other way
Ah, I see. You mean the poles atop a raised area with a massive curb? The ones which you’d almost have to speedily ramp up the curb to hit.
Absolutely fuc*ing ridiculous . This place is the land of make believe and bullshit. When is anyone around here going to wake up, grow a pair of balls, and do the right thing.
Judging by the comments, it is clear many respondents, similar to the individual in this story, are unfamiliar with the treacherous nature of the legendary beast known as the Toyota Supra – moreso a heavily modified one.
I’ve seen the best of drivers lose them in a straight line, and even better ones around a corner.
Let us be happy the only casualty was the driver and move on with a qualified and experienced professional returned to his position.
(What if we sacked every private sector, white-collar professional – local or expat – for every mistake or bad decision on the job?)
For one CNS would be a lot quietier, but I digress 🙂
– Who
So want to explain why the guy took the Supra off the lot and to the point where he lost control? A “mistake”? The difficulty of controlling a hard core sports car when you gun it is not the issue. The point is that there was no reason to take the car to the point where you might lose control. And that’s not a mistake. B that’s indulging yourself. I may as well take my employers money and gamble with it, not realising that I may lose it it, oh, wait… same old. No consequences for self indulgent and reckless choices by civil servants.
I once owned a supra, nothing a good driver can’t handle, but lets just say you are right. A vehicle examiner should know this and exercise the relevant amount of caution. Remember we are talking about a VEHICLE EXAMINER. He exercised very poor judgement and demonstrated incompetence. For the DVDL to say no code violation ocurred is a cop out at best, and also demonstrates the ineffectiveness of a dated code. Everyone makes mistakes, but when it is related to your job and endangers life or property someone has to be held accountable.
9.28pm “we should be happy that an experienced professional be returned to his position”. Your comments exemplify all that is wrong with Caymanian society. Anyone in his right mind would condemn the actions of this maniacal driver who but for the grace of God could easily have killed someone.Read the Compass editorial and see what the real world thinks of this incident.
typical nonsense from who… someone who never sees any blame at home but always points fingers elsewhere….
This place is an insane asylum. This is just more proof that mental illness is the prevailing disease in Cayman.
He’s unbelievably lucky no one was coming in the opposite lane. I saw the wreck shortly after it happened and the fact that no one was killed was a matter of pure luck.
Correct, extremely lucky , although one other motorist had their car damaged by debris. But what if a motor cycle / bicycle rider or someone’s wife with children in the car just happened to be in that west bound lane, when the Toyota went airborne over the median? We would be dealing with a different set of circumstances & outcome.
The outcome would hae been the same….not his faullt
caymanians and especially those in the civil service never held accountable for their actions…..
What makes this country so sick, a Caymanian can’t do no wrong.
This country needs to get a f¥€>|#g spine and face up to facts
in the private sector…he would have been sacked on the day.
just another glorious day in the cayman civil service.
I bet he doesn’t have to pay it back either, swept under the rug, nothing to see here people……When shit like this happens and no one is reprimanded is it any wonder why our laws are blatantly disregard by others? You can’t make this up. We live in La LA Land.
That’s right sack him before the court deals with his case. I’m so happy I don’t work in the whacky private sector.
Everyone is just jealous that the Civil Service cares about its employees.
Caymanians should be treated fairly. I bet those posting wished their countries treated them better. Cayman paradise.
What about caring about the people whose lives are affected by CS staff mistakes
Anonymous 7:32 you are so wrong. I had a brand new Triump motor car back in the seventies. Took it back to the dealership for first service after purchase and the driver turned it over somewhere on west bay road. He was a great driver but stuff like this happens to the best of us. Thank God he was not injured. The dealership (private company I might add) gave me a new car in its place. What is wrong with you bunch? How many times. have the police had to cut your people out of horrible mashed up cars to save their lives. Most of them were speeding for no apparent reason. Why are all of you so hateful and stupid. You hate politicians, you hate.lawyers, you hate test drivers, garbage collectors, teachers, doctors, nurses, pastors . You all hate everybody. Hate is a cancer eating each of you up from the inside and bringing bad karma down on yourselves. The man had an accident, if but for the Grace of God he could have been killed. This Christmas season please look at the man/ woman in the mirror and try to be a more understanding, better person in the future. Stop fueling hate and destruction please. Remember what you speak will come to pass , especially in your own lives because life and death is in your tongue. So be kind to your fellow men and the life you save might be your own.
I am glad that no one was injured but the man is a strong candidate for the Darwin Award!
It was incredibly reckless and for those saying the problem was with the car… are you out of your minds? Mr. Salas drove the car to the DVDL that day and around the Island on other days without incident. The issue was the reckless driving by Mr. Ebanks. The car was not a ticking time bomb waiting to hop the median!
everything wrong with the civil service summed up article…..welcome to the wonderland.
check out the muppett’s fb btw….tells you a lot…
No surprise here folks, move along nothing to see. I’m thinking of getting my house repainted soon, I might see if the DVDL have any more whitewash going spare….
Absurd. Looking forward to the DVDL report.
Why is it that this young hard working Caymanian is constantly in the spot light over one accident that no one died. How much more serious issues are there in Cayman? This young man is a pleasant and professional cordial person of whom I had the privilege to have inspect my vehicle yesterday. So what a vehicle is damaged and he must be crucified for it. We have lots more to worry and focus on so let’s get on with it.
You might not be so lenient if it had been YOUR car. This kid is not trustworthy.
7:45pm, I have known this young man since he was a child. Yes he did something stupid, but don’t we all. BUT he didn’t get into a car drunk and kill someone, yes he took someone’s car and did something he shouldn’t have but are we going to crucify him forever. You have father’s raping their children, murderers being let out of jail early, politicans not knowing their job, bikes running amok and the police doing nothing, animals being tortured, the list is endless. Those are the things we need to keep on fighting for and mentioning. I am sure he didn’t intend to wreck this guy’s car, he was wrong I agree, but enough already!!!
Yea 9:23 you are right. Should just let all Caymanians out of Northward because they all essentially good people who just did one stupid thing. No reason to jail these fine citizens…
6:58, I have to agree with you. It amazes me that of all the outright crimes that have been committed on this island, by expats and Caymanians, this accident is taking center stage. I wonder why?!!!
While I understand that a witness states that he was ‘racing’ I have to remind people that was just her opinion. does she’s have video of this?
From what I was told by a friend of mine, several employees of CUC witnessed the the accident as well. Hopefully the police went looking for them for statements as well.
This young man is a human being, a human being who can make mistakes like everyone else. Yet, everyone is ready to crucify him. Typical. Wasn’t there, saw nothing, but calling for his head. Just want to see a Caymanian cut down.
Regardless of witness accounts his error is directly related to his job as a vehicle examiner. He lost control and demonstrated incompetence with no doubt.
Quit trying to defend this guy 7:54 you won’t win. What he did, with a customer’s car no less, was reckless, dangerous and downright irresponsible. If this was any other country he would have been fired and possibly jailed for his misconduct. The damage to the car, witness reports and damage to public property is evidence that he was driving aggressively in a high powered racing car. In fact, he’s lucky no one was killed including himself.
He messed up badly, love to se the owner sue him to the ground for the replacement vehicle, but of course Government will pick up the bill
Allar, he destroyed someone’s car whilst joyriding during an inspection, in traffic. He could have killed himself not to mention others. How does he still have that job? Is he paying us back? Or is it back to normal? Him having remorse and saying he is sorry has nothing to do with it.
It’s exactly that mindset that means you do have more serious issues to worry about. ..hard working lad, very cordial, mind to strangers, loves his dear old mum etc etc….
Takes a car for a joyride without a care in the world, what’s the harm he thinks and guess what when it all goes wrong his employers and people like you back him up.
See where your bigger problems stem from? Young boys playing at gangsters, unlicenced dirt bikes pulling stunts in broad daylight on the road, laws flouted daily…why not when no body is ever gonna get punished?