Twenty-five year old Guyhoc Park resident Odida Underwood was on Friday sentenced to five years in jail for causing the death of Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson by dangerous driving.

Underwood who was an unlicensed driver, was emotionless as the sentence was handed down to him after he was found guilty of the charge. The incident took place on Christmas eve day, 2013.  The Chief Librarian was a passenger in the front seat of the Library’s mini bus when the speeding car being driven by Underwood collided with the bus.

That impact sent the bus slamming into a concrete culvert and the librarian was pinned. She was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital where she passed away.

The Attorney for the young man who caused her death with his dangerous driving, argued in the court that he was compelled to drive the vehicle on the day in question without a license because he was dealing with a family emergency. The Magistrate did not buy that story and was also concerned that the young man showed no remorse during his trial.

Road deaths continue to be a major problem in Guyana. For this year already, over 110 persons have lost their lives on the country’s roadways. Most times, speeding is the main contributing factor.

Filed: 21st November, 2014

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