Driver in fatal 2021 Bog Walk Gorge crash gets probation, fined $350,000

Malick Wynter, the man behind the 2021 crash that resulted in the death of a woman when a minibus plunged into the Rio Cobre, was on Monday sentenced to two years’ probation and fined $350,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment in the St Catherine Circuit Court.

Justice Bertram Morrison also ordered that his driver's licence be suspended for one year.

Wynter had pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving in November 2023 but was not sentenced until yesterday.

He was charged with the death of Valerie Ennis, 52, of the Whitehouse Housing Scheme, St Catherine.

Wynter was represented by attorney-at-law Oswest Senior-Smith.

Facts are that on June 8, 2021, Ennis was a passenger in a Toyota Hiace minibus that was heading towards Linstead from Spanish Town.

The court further heard that while travelling along the roadway a Toyota Fielder motor car, which was being driven by Wynter, overtook a line of traffic and crashed into the minibus.

The impact caused the Hiace to careen into the Rio Cobre.

At least eight persons, including Wynter and a passenger in the Toyota Fielder, sustained injuries.

Ennis, who was ejected from the minibus and was taken from the river by divers, was pronounced dead at hospital.

An investigation was conducted by the St Catherine North Traffic Department, which resulted in Wynter's arrest.

He was subsequently charged and made numerous court appearances.

- Rasbert Turner

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