An unlicensed driver who fled the scene of a crash with a 3-year-old child in the vehicle has been fined on four of the five traffic charges brought against him.
Adriel Prince, a 33-year-old labourer, of Sion Hill and Gibson Corner, found himself in trouble with the law after an accident along the Nelson Mandela Highway around 6:30 p.m. on May 24.
The court heard that Prince was driving RAA 769, a silver Suzuki car owned by Rodwell Johnny, of Greiggs, in a dangerous manner toward Gibson Corner.
Prince lost control of the vehicle as it approached the Singer Building, hit a curb on the left side of the road, struck a footpath, and then overturned.
Prince and the 3-year-old son of one of his Gibson Corner neighbours were in the vehicle.
Prince sustained minor injuries to his right hand and right foot. The toddler was unharmed.
Prince fled the scene of the accident with the child inside the vehicle, leading to an abduction charge.
A police investigation revealed that Prince had used the vehicle without the owner’s permission.
He later told police that he fled the scene of the accident because he was in shock and also because he does not have a driver’s license.
Prince pleaded guilty to the traffic offences when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamika McKenzie on June 1 at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, but was sentenced this month.
The court ordered Prince to pay a fine of EC$1,250 by May 27, 2027, for dangerous driving or spend six months in prison.
For driving an uninsured vehicle, he was fined EC$1,000 to be paid by Oct. 9 or five months in prison.
Prince was fined EC$650 to be paid by Dec. 15 or 4.5 months in prison for failing to remain at the scene of the accident.
For driving without a permit, he was fined EC$350 to be paid by July 31, 2027 or four months in prison.
The prosecution withdrew a charge that Prince failed to report the accident to the police.
Other charges related to the accident are still before the court.