Odeda Underwood, the driver accused of causing the death of former Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson, was yesterday sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Underwood was found guilty as charged of causing death by dangerous driving by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who imposed the sentence at the conclusion of his trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
It was alleged that Underwood, on December 24, 2013, at North Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, drove PPP 8655 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Thompson.
Underwood, who had failed to stop at the intersection, collided with the left front side of a motor van, belonging to the National Library and which was transporting Thompson. The library van then collided with a concrete culvert and, as a result, Thompson, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, suffered injuries. She was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Underwood, with dissatisfaction clearly written on his face, told the court that it was only when he woke up in the hospital that he found out he was involved in an accident which also claimed the life of someone.
At the time of the accident he was also said to be drunk and unlicensed.
After taking into consideration that Underwood showed no remorse for what happened as well as the fact that it was his first offence, the magistrate sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
