Donald Downer, a pastor, who was accused of causing life-altering injuries to two pedestrians at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara in 2016, was found guilty of
Shemar Henry seen here has not been able to walk since the accident
dangerous driving at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
He was sentenced to one-year imprisonment.
Wazir Ali of Industry, East Coast Demerara and Goed Fortuin resident Shemar Henry, who was just about to turn 13, were both standing on the Goed Fortuin Public Road on May 29, 2016 when Downer’s speeding motor car struck them both.
Henry suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries while one of Ali’s legs was amputated.
Based on Police evidence, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Campbell had contended that the defendant was speeding and urged the court to find the defendant guilty as charged. After assessing the case, Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse ruled that a prima facie case was made out against the defendant, but Downer had denied that he was guilty.
The court’s sentence was intended as a signal to other drivers to use more caution when traversing the nation’s roads.
Shortly after midday, Downer was escorted to a holding area at the Wales Police
Accident victim Wazir Ali hospitalised in June 2016
Station, where he was processed to be transported to serve his one-year prison sentence. Earlier, during the trial, it was revealed that Downer had driven his motor car dangerously, failing to use consideration when he operated the vehicle. Prosecutor Campbell had stressed that the accident resulted in Henry and Ali being permanently injured.
According to reports, Downer had claimed that he lost control of the car and slammed into the duo. Accident victim Ali had told Guyana Times in June 2016 that on the day of the dreadful accident, he was visiting his two children at Goed Fortuin.
