Truck driver fined $400,000 for causing deaths of two people

St Catherine motorist Maurice Baker, who pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, was ordered to pay a fine of $400,000 or spend 12 months in prison in the St Catherine Circuit Court on Friday.

Baker was charged in relation to the 2023 deaths of Rickisha White and her daughter Rickacya Garrison.

When he appeared before Justice Bertram Morrison, attorney Kemoy McEkron submitted that although lives were lost his client did not waste the court's time and that he was remorseful.

He argued that a fine should be sufficient.

Justice Morrison agreed that Baker had pleaded guilty and showed remorse. He then imposed a fine of $200,000 or 12 months' imprisonment on each count.

Baker's drivers licence was ordered suspended by the court.

It was reported that on February 27, 2023, about 3:35 p.m., Baker was driving an Isuzu motor truck along Walks Road when he lost control of the truck, which drifted into the path of a Toyota Probox motor car.

The impact resulted in the deaths of White and Garrison and the injury of others.

An investigation was conducted which resulted in Baker being charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.

He made numerous court appearances and pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

- Rasbert Turner

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