Scooter rider sentenced after hit and run

Magistrate’s Court, John’s Hole, Tortola

A scooter rider who struck a pedestrian in Road Town last month then fled the scene has been hauled before the Magistrate’s Court on several charges.

East End resident Cory Prince was fined a total of $1,775 after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving, operating a vehicle without a driver’s licence, driving when not covered by insurance, driving an unlicensed vehicle, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

Reports are that, on March 22 this year, pedestrian Andy Davis was on the crosswalk in front of Pussers Pub in Road Town.

The court heard that traffic in both directions stopped to allow the said pedestrian to cross.

Prince, who was riding a motor scooter from the direction of the Road Town Jetty, struck the pedestrian after he reportedly overtook the vehicles that had stopped for the pedestrian to use the crosswalk.

He fled then the scene, the court heard.

It is reported that the pedestrian sustained a laceration to the forehead, abrasions to the cheek and hands, and tenderness to the right side of the neck.

He was treated at hospital and released.

Prince was subsequently arrested and charged.

In court, Prince explained to Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste DaBreo that the collision was not intentional.

He further explained that the road was slippery at the time. Prince told the court that he checked to see if the man was OK before he left the scene.

He also stated that he reported the accident to police the following day.

Magistrate DaBreo then fined Prince $350 each for reckless driving, and driving without a licence.

He was also fined $750 for driving without insurance and another $125 for driving an unlicensed vehicle.

Prince was fined a further $200 for failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

The offender will spend some four months in prison if none of the fines is paid by the end of September.

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