Minibus driver gets 4 years for killing pensioner in accident

Jul 19, 2016 News

A minibus driver was yesterday jailed for four years after he was found guilty of causing the death of a

KILLED: William Trim

pensioner by dangerous driving. The sentence was imposed by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in a city court, yesterday.

Sherwin Hopkinson, 37, of Lot 78 North Ruimveldt Georgetown, was convicted for causing the death of 78-year-old William Trim by dangerous driving on March 5, at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
On the day in question, Hopkinson was the driver of minibus BVV 1302 which collided with motorcar PFF 8165 driven by Trim of Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt. Hopkinson was driving at a fast rate of speed, overtaking other vehicles in his path.
He subsequently lost control of the minibus which collided with Trim’s motorcar. The motorcar was hurled several feet away from the point of impact.
Trim was rushed to the Davis Memorial Hospital and then to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Chief Magistrate said that she was satisfied that the injuries Trim received in the accident caused his death.
The post mortem report, she said, indicated that Trim died as a result of multiple injuries consistent with a motor vehicular accident.
According to the Magistrate, Police Prosecutor, Neville Jeffers, called 10 witnesses, some of whom were police officers.
She said that one of the police witnesses testified that when he arrived on the scene of the accident, both vehicles were in a stationary position with extensive damage. The Magistrate added, that the witness told the court a breathalyzer test was performed on Hopkinson, and he was later taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he identified Trim as the man who was involved in the accident.
The police witness, the Magistrate added, said that he took Hopkinson to the East Ruimveldt Police Station where he was served with a notice of intent to prosecute. The witness was taken back to the accident scene in the company of a police photographer and other investigators, the Magistrate stated.
Under caution, Hopkinson admitted to driving the bus along Aubrey Barker Road. He claimed that he attempted to overtake the car driven by Trim, when it made a sudden turn causing the collision.
When called on to lead his defence, Hopkinson called one witness who testified that the motorcar collided with the minibus. However, the Magistrate said that she did not rely on this witness’s evidence because he was some distance from the scene.
She said that the court did not believe Hopkinson when he told the court that the motorcar drove into the minibus.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate underscored that Hopkinson drove the minibus in a manner that fell below the standards of a competent driver. She added that on the day in question, he showed no consideration for other road users.
In a plea of mitigation, Hopkinson begged for leniency and forgiveness. He told the court that he has two minor children.
“For the past four and a half months I have been in Camp Street Prison. I find it really hard providing for them (his children).”
Hopkinson claimed that he had been driving for nine years prior to the accident and was never involved in any accidents.
Having considered the time Hopkinson spent on remand, the Magistrate imposed a four- year prison term on him.
During the trial, he was released on $800,000 bail and his driver’s licence was suspended.

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