Lorry driver in deadly Soesdyke-Linden Highway accident freed after compensation pact agreed

The families of three victims of an accident that occurred on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on August 3, 2022 have agreed to accept $9 million in compensation from the driver who was behind the wheel of an out-of-control motor lorry.
The driver of that lorry, 48-year-old Shawn Lim of Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the deaths of Michael Edwards of Timehri Base Road, EBD; and Wilfred Phillips and Alicious Squad, both from Pomeroon River communities in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The case was being tried by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.
Guyana Times understands that the charges against Lim have been dropped after each of the victims’ families accepted $3 million in compensation.
That accident occurred in the vicinity of the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College, and involved motor lorry GNN 4083, which at the time was being driven by Lim. It was reported that the truck, laden with lumber, was proceeding along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway when, as alleged by the driver, something ran across the roadway and he swerved left to avoid a collision, but instead lost control of the truck. As a result of his losing control of the vehicle, the left side wheel collided with the barranca, causing the vehicle to topple several times before coming to a halt in a ditch.

The three victims, who were all seated atop the lumber, were pinned thereunder as the vehicle came to a stop. After a few hours had elapsed, the injured men were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were pronounced dead.
A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver of the truck, who escaped with minor bruises, had revealed there was no alcohol in his system.