Prospect driver charged in traffic death of Richmond Hill man

A driver of Prospect has been charged in connection with the death of Richmond Hill resident, Andrew “Sweet Man” Mckie, who died at hospital after he was struck in Kingstown by a pick up on Wednesday, June 21.

Roger Lavia of Prospect appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate John Ballah, on Wednesday, June 28, where he was not required to plea to the indictable charge of reckless driving.

Lavia was charged for, being the driver of motor vehicle TX-422 did cause the death of Andrew Mckie of Richmond Hill on June 21, by driving recklessly.

He was granted bail in the sum of $20,000 and ordered to surrender all travel documents. As well, stop notices were ordered placed at all ports of entry and exit.

The matter was transferred to the Serious Offences Court for the start of a preliminary inquiry on June 29.

McKie’s family told SEARCHLIGHT in an interview that they were informed by an eye witness that a vehicle had stopped at the junction of Grenville Street and Halifax Street to allow the 62 year old Andrew to cross.

However, a pick up travelling in the opposite direction, reportedly collided with Andrew and “pitch him in the air” leaving him with broken ribs and legs, a bleeding and swollen head, as well as a damaged abdomen. He was pronounced dead at 12:00 a.m the following day, two weeks shy of his 63rd birthday.