RBDF Marine remanded following traffic fatalities

RBDF Marine remanded following traffic fatalities

A Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marine will spend the next five days at the Department of Corrections awaiting her sentence for killing a brother and sister following a traffic accident last month.

Christin Reckley, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of killing in the course of dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Police say shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 16, Reckley was driving a silver 2010 Nissan March north on Marathon Road in the vicinity of Samana Drive, when she lost control of the vehicle and struck two pedestrians; 23-year-old Stevan Devallon and 37-year-old Maude Augustin. They died on the scene.

Reckley appeared before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans and was represented by Bjorn Ferguson.

Ferguson told the court Reckley was the top female RBDF recruit this year, and also serves as a National Youth Ambassador. She had no previous convictions and took full responsibility for the accident. Magistrate Vogt Evans remanded Reckley to the Bahamas Department of Corrections until Oct 10 when she will be sentenced.

Kareem Bowe, 37, also appeared before Magistrate Vogt-Evans. He was charged with killing during the course of dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

According to reports, on June 23 around 6:00 a.m., Bowe was driving a red 2008 Honda Accord and was travelling south on Foster Street when he hit Jean Robert Lubin who was walking on the eastern side of the road.

Lubin was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital but died a short time later of blunt force trauma to the head and torso. Bowe pleaded guilty to the charges and told the court he was a recently married father of two, who is employed as a facilities manager at the Ministry of Works. He accepted responsibility and has no prior convictions or pending charges.

He was fined $10,000 or six months in jail on the first count and $100 or five days in jail on the second. Bowe will remain in custody until the fine is paid.

Floyd Weech, 57, was also charged with killing during the course of dangerous driving and failing to remain on the scene.

According to reports, on Friday, July 20, shortly after 10:00 p.m., a man was attempting to cross Robinson Road in the vicinity of Washington Street, when he was struck by a red truck, which continued travelling in an eastern direction. The victim was taken to hospital but died a short time later. He has been identified as Andre Sands.

Weech, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was represented by Ian Cargill.

Cargill told the court Weech was a handicapped senior who only left the scene because he was in fear for his life, but he turned himself in three days later.

Vogt –Evans remanded Weech to the BDOC until Oct 10 for sentencing,

Another woman, Taylor Pratt, 26, was also charged with killing during the course of driving, failing to remain on the scene, and driving without insurance.

According to reports, shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Friday, September, 21 a male was attempting to cross Tonique Williams Darling Highway when he was struck by a red Suzuki car, driven by Pratt, which was travelling in the eastbound lane. Pratt fled and the victim died on the scene.

Pratt was represented by Christina Galanos and appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux.

She pleaded guilty to the charges, except one – driving without insurance – and was fined $10,000 or two years on the first count and $500 or six months on the second count.

Pratt informed the court she only had $7,500. She was given until Nov 12 to pay the balance.

Eddy Paul, 41, was in the car with Pratt at the time of the accident. He was charged with deceit of a police officer. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $3,000 or three years in the BDOC.

Finally, Terrance Ferguson, 47, was charged with killing during the course of dangerous driving and failing to remain on the scene.

According to reports, on Tuesday, August 7, a male was walking on Graham Drive, Yellow Elder Gardens, when he was struck by a silver car, which left the scene. The victim, who has been identified as Kendino Rudon, died on the scene.

Ferguson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted $8,000 bail.