Latest update April 7th, 2025 12:08 AM
‘Guana’ freed of causing death charge
Howard DeSantos a/k ‘Guana’ who was charged back in 2014 with causing the death of Shawn Bourne by dangerous driving was on Monday freed of the charge, after Magistrate Judy Latchman upheld a no-case submission by his attorney Michael Somersall.
Bourne, 41, formerly of Dazzell Housing Scheme, Paradise, East Coast Demerara, was killed on August 18, 2014 after a horrific vehicle smash-up on Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara.
According to reports, Bourne along with relatives was travelling to Georgetown from a Soesdyke/Linden Highway resort in a minibus, when the accident occurred. It was reported that the driver of the minibus believed to be DeSantos was racing a Toyota 212 motorcar. It is alleged that the car struck the bus, causing it to topple several times on the road.
Bourne, a father of three, was in the front seat of the route 45 minibus which had about 17 persons when tragedy struck.
Based on reports after the crash, another minibus, which was also travelling at a fast rate of speed slammed into the back of the bus; sending it into a nearby wall with persons still trapped inside.
Magistrate Latchman ruled that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to prove the elements of the offence; thus ruling that a Prima Facie case was not made out against DeSantos.
FREED: Howard DeSantos
Thereafter, she dismissed the case.
DeSantos had been a fugitive for over one year in relation to this offence. He was arrested in 2015 and hauled before the courts.
DeSantos was also fingered in another road accident which claimed the life of Kojoe McPherson, a first form student, of President’s College, East Coast Demerara.
The accident occurred on December 28, 2014 at Paradise Village, East Coast Demerara.
According to reports, the student was struck down by DeSantos, on the pedestrian crossing at Paradise Line Top. DeSantos was allegedly speeding.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Anticipation without preparation
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The Vice President of Guyana, ever the sagacious observer of the inevitable, has reassured... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
