Soldier jailed for killing colleague by dangerous driving

A soldier has been sentenced to 36 months in prison after being found guilty of causing the death of a fellow serviceman due to dangerous driving.

Guyana Defence Force member Antonio Eastman was sentenced at the conclusion of his trial by city magistrate Judy Latchman, who said she was satisfied that the evidence established that Eastman caused the death of Lieutenant Ronald Gonsalves through dangerous driving.

Ronald Gonsalves
Ronald Gonsalves

The charge stated that on November 1st, 2013, at Mandela Avenue, Eastman drove motor vehicle PPP 2210 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Gonsalves.

According to the prosecution’s case, the accident occurred when Eastman and two other soldiers left Timehri for Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown.

Eastman, the driver of the vehicle, allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle but lost control and ran into a lantern post, resulting in the death of Gonsalves and serious injuries to himself and three other soldiers, who survived.

Eastman’s attorney, Leslie Sobers, stated that his client did not aggravate the situation as he was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Additionally, he related that Eastman thought of Gonsalves as a brother and has since expressed his shock and remorse at the terrible accident.

Sobers asked the court to exercise its discretion and impose a monetary punishment for the offence rather than a custodial sentence that would tarnish his client’s army career.

Magistrate Latchman, however, opted to impose a custodial sentence of 36 months for Eastman.

As a result, Sobers asked for bail for Eastman while steps are taken to appeal the sentence.

However, Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to the application, while noting that Eastman had been found guilty and handed a sentence by the court. Magistrate Latchman subsequently denied the lawyer’s application and Eastman was taken into custody.