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Almost two years after hit and run death…Driver jailed for two years
Edson Ennis, 36, a cane harvester and part time taxi driver of Lot 88 Amsville Housing Scheme who was involved in the fatal hit and run accident on November 24th 2012, has been found guilty and jailed.
Edson Ennis
He is accused of causing the death of Sastia Natasha Phillips, 27, a mother of five and formerly of Lot 5 Fifth Street, Islington, East Bank Berbice.
Ennis appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court where he faced a charged of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.
He was sentenced to two years on that charge. He was also found guilty of failing to stop after an accident and was fined $20,000.
In the third charge he was found guilty of failing to render assistance after an accident and was fined an additional $20,000.
According to information, at around 20:15 hrs on the day in question the woman was in company with her fiancé and children, walking along Main Street, New Amsterdam (heading towards Stanleytown), when in the vicinity of Alexander Street she was hit by a car which was later identified as PDD 5925. The woman was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she succumbed.
Ennis who was driving the car at the time of the accident fled the scene. Police subsequently found the car parked at a residence at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.
The driver subsequently turned himself into the police about 17:30 hrs on the following day.
He had told investigators that he was driving South heading towards Stanleytown when in the vicinity of Alexander Street, two cyclists suddenly darted out from a cross street into his path.
He swerved to avoid a collision with the cyclists and struck the woman. He said that after colliding with the woman, he panicked and fear overcame him and he drove away. He later parked the car and went and hid.
His Attorney Joel Persid Edmond in his submission had told the court that no prima facie case was made out against his client. He stated that there were numerous inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
However Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Playter in his submission had informed the court that a prima facie case was made out. He stated that the prosecution had more than adequately satisfied the court that the accused was guilty of the charges.
Playter submitted that the woman’s death was a result of Ennis’ negligence and that he had not taken enough due care and attention. He stated that the evidence was overwhelming.
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