A 41-year-old truck driver was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a City Magistrate on Tuesday for causing the death of 19-year-old Dustin Crawford, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident along the Flour Mill Public Road, East Bank Demerara on July 22, 2015.

Greg Stewart was convicted by Magistrate Renita Singh; he was also found guilty of failing to stop after the accident and failing to render assistance.

He was ordered to pay $30,000 fine on each of those two charges or serve an additional two weeks imprisonment. The court heard that Stewart drove motor lorry GJJ 7168 with trailer – TAA 2203 – in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Crawford.

At the time of the accident, the 19-year-old rugby player, was on his way to the Namilco Flour Mill, where rugby players were about to tour the facility as part of an annual summer programme.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bharat Mangru had contended that on the day of the accident Stewart was driving at a fast rate and as he turned on to Flour Mill Public Road, the vehicle’s trailer hit Crawford, who was flung into the air before landing on the road.

The court also heard that after Crawford was struck, Stewart continued to drive the vehicle and one of the wheels ran over the victim’s head. An eyewitness was able to identify the driver, despite the fact that Stewart escaped after the accident.

He was later apprehended after the eyewitness, who later called the police, gave chase.