Death by dangerous driving charge, $2.15M bail for unlicensed driver in fatal bridge crash

Jomel Kenny, a 23-year-old resident of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, is now facing additional charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, following the fatal accident which occurred on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge (BJDRB) last month.

The crash occurred on Thursday, January 29, on the southern carriageway of the bridge and resulted in the death of 24-year-old Scott Dorwart, a taxi driver from Grove, East Bank Demerara. Several other persons sustained injuries during the multi-vehicular accident.

Kenny, the driver of motor lorry GAC 296, was first charged on Friday, January 30, 2026, with driving without a licence, breach of insurance, and faulty packing of load. He appeared before the Diamond Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently remanded to prison until February 4, 2026.

However, when he returned to court on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Kenny was slapped with additional charges including Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, Failing to Have Proper Control of a Motor Vehicle, and Maintenance of a Motor Vehicle.

He appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court before His Worship Dylon Bess, where the new charges were read to him. Kenny was not required to plead to the indictable charge of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, but he pleaded not guilty to the other offences.

Following the hearing, the court granted Kenny bail in the sum of two million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($2,150,000 GYD). The matter was adjourned to Thursday, April 2, 2026, for trial.

Meanwhile, the owner of the motor lorry, 55-year-old Antonio Johnson of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, was also charged in connection with the incident. Johnson was charged on January 30 with breach of insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $50,000.

In a statement issued previously, Police Headquarters noted that Kenny was unable to provide documents for the vehicle at the time of the accident. Investigators also determined that his driver’s licence did not have the required category to legally operate a motor lorry.

Police investigations into the fatal crash remain ongoing.