Donald Downer, who was accused of causing life altering injuries to two pedestrians at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara in 2016, was found guilty of dangerous driving at the Wales Magistrate Court on Monday. He was sentenced to one year in prison.
Wazir Ali of Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD) 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 vehicle struck both of them down. The lad had reportedly 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 him guilty as charged. After assessing the case, Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse ruled that a prima facie case was made out against the accused but Downer, who is said to be a pastor had denied that he was guilty. Nevertheless the court’s sentence was reasoned 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 Station where he was processed to be transported to serve his one year prison sentence.
Earlier in the trial, it was revealed that Downer had driven his his vehicle dangerously and as such failed to use consideration. Prosecutor Campbell had stressed that the accident resulted in Henry and Ali being permanently injured.
According to reports that surfaced last year Downer, had claimed that he lost control of the car and slammed into the teenager, before he hit Ali soon afterwards. Ali, the amputee had told this publication, in June 2016, that on the day of the dreadful incident, he was visiting his two children at Goed Fortuin.
Shemar’s mother, Sharon Davidson had recalled rushing to the accident site where she recalled seeing her bleeding son. She said on Monday that since the accident, her young son has not been able to walk or speak.
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