Big One – New twist to Old Year’s Argyle accident

The minibus involved in the ‘Old Year’s Day’ crash at Argyle, which killed three persons and injured several others, was uninsured.{{more}}

SEARCHLIGHT has been reliably informed that the insurance policy for the passenger van H5668 named ‘Big One’ had expired since September 23, 2009, three months prior to the accident.

On December 31, 2009, Michael Baynes, a 32-year-old chauffeur of Park Hill was driving the minibus on the new Argyle bypass road when it overturned and killed 37-year-old Michele Bernadette Pompey of Chili Village, Georgetown, and Romario Marson, 12, of Spring Village, on the spot. Sandy Bay resident 31-year-old Sonithie Ballantyne subsequently died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Baynes was arrested and charged with causing the deaths of the three by dangerous driving.

When he appeared before the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown, he was granted bail in the sum of EC$70,000 with one surety.

The Preliminary Inquiry into the matter is set for March 17, 2010. (HN)