Wanted bus driver fingered in another road death

Jan 03, 2015 News

A fugitive for more than a year on a causing death by dangerous driving charge was apprehended and hauled

Accused: Howard
De Santos

before the courts after he claimed the life of a 12 year old student last Sunday.
Howard De Santos, 22, of Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara was the driver behind the wheel of a packed minibus which clipped the back of another, before slamming into a hotel fence at Agricola, killing one passenger and injuring several in August 2013.
De Santos was also injured in the accident but was granted leave to receive medical treatment out of Guyana.
He returned and had evaded arrest.
He appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Wednesday, last at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving in the 2013 accident.
Prosecutors report that the 22-year-old driver will soon be charged for 12-year-old Cujoe McPherson’s death.
He was remanded to jail on that charge.
De Santos is accused of driving in a manner dangerous to the public while piloting motor vehicle BRR-1955 on August 18, 2013 at Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, thereby causing the death of Shawn Bourne, 31.
He was not required to plead to the charge.
Reports are that Bourne, a father of three was in the front seat of the Route 45 minibus when it collided with another mini-bus at Agricola .He was one of 17 persons who were in the bus heading to the city.
It was reported that the bus was returning from the Splashmin’s Fun Park on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway when the vehicle clipped the back of a Route 32 bus, before slamming into the Alpha Hotel fence at Agricola.

Dead: Shawn Bourne

There are reports that the mini-bus toppled several times before coming to a halt. Bourne’s sister, sister-in-law and two nieces were also injured in the accident.
A total of eight other persons were hospitalised in the accident. These are Niketa Moore, 1, Rocky Moore, 44; Kevin Granderson; Kenwin Isaacs, 18; Shania Bourne, 4; Waylele Park, 30; Avid De Younge, 25, and De Santos, the driver.
All of the injured persons were occupants of the route 45 minibus. No serious injuries were incurred by the passengers of the route 32 minibus.
Bourne subsequently perished from his injuries.
During the court hearing on Wednesday, Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant opposed bail, citing the nature, gravity and seriousness of the offence.
The Prosecutor also objected to De Santos being allowed his pre-trial liberty by informing the Court that he is set to be charged with causing the death of the President’s College student.
The First Form student was struck down by De Santos, who was allegedly speeding on Sunday, December 28 on the pedestrian crossing at Paradise Village (Line Top), East Coast Demerara.
It was during his arrest for McPherson’s death that De Santos was charged for the death of Bourne, the Prosecutor said.
Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to January 19.