Bus driver gets 56 months jail for killing passenger

Apr 22, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

A route 42 minibus driver was yesterday sentenced to 56 months in jail after he was found guilty of killing a woman, who was a passenger in a minibus he was driving during an accident.

JAILED: Travis David

The charge against Travis David, 28, of Caesar Street, Agricola, stated that on January 6, 2016, at Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove minibus BSS 9471 in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Lynette Joseph.
Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves contended that on the day in question, about 5:45pm, the bus, which operates between Georgetown and Timehri, was proceeding north along the western carriageway of the Little Diamond Public Road. David was about to negotiate a turn, when he lost control of the vehicle and skidded about 26 feet before connecting to a lamp post.
Joseph, who was seated in the third seat behind the driver sustained injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
Trial Magistrate Judy Latchman, during her ruling underscored that based on the evidence before the court, it was established that David was driving at an “extraordinary” rate of speed. Magistrate Latchman added that as a result, he lost control of the vehicle and collided with the utility pole.
The Magistrate pointed out that David fell below the competence of a careful driver and that he failed to exercise care, caution, consideration, common sense and courtesy while using the roadway.
The Magistrate also noted that the injuries Joseph received were consistent with a motor vehicle accident as testified to by Government Pathologist Nehaul Singh.
Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves had asked the court for the driver to be found guilty of the offence. According to the lawyer, David elected to give an unsworn testimony which contradicted a caution statement he gave to police.
Prosecutor Gonsalves had noted that David’s main objective was to deceive the court. Nevertheless, an Attorney for David gave oral notice of her intension of appealing the decision.

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