Guest worker faces fatal car crash charges

A British guest worker was yesterday accused of causing the death of Winston ‘Yogi’ Burrows, the man who died in last weekend’s fatal car crash.

Arctic Airconditioning and Refrigeration worker Luke Armstrong, of Southampton, faced six charges in Magistrates’ Court relating to Sunday’s early morning accident.

Accused: Luke Armstrong is escorted to Magistrates Court, where he faced various charges in connection with the fatal car crash on South Shore at the weekend. Walking ahead of him are his lawyers Justin Williams and Saul Froomkin QC.

The 24-year-old was charged with causing Mr. Burrows’ death while his ability to drive was impaired. He was also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr. Burrows’ passenger Evelyn Rewan, who was seriously injured.

Armstrong was further charged with causing actual bodily harm to Mr. Burrows’ backseat passenger, Honest Masawi, and his own passenger, visitor Peter Mumby; failing to stop and report the accident and not having a valid licence.

The Beaming Hill resident was not required to enter a plea as the charges are indictable and must be heard before a Supreme Court jury.

Mr. Burrows was killed instantly when the car he was driving flipped over and burst into flames after it came into collision with a truck allegedly driven by Armstrong on South Shore Road, near the Swizzle pub and restaurant.

It has been reported that the incident occurred after Mr. Burrows offered to drive his friend, Ms Rewan, home after a night out. She has since been airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment and her family said this week she was expected to make a full recovery despite breaking her neck.

The accused, originally from North Lincolnshire, England, is employed on the Island on a temporary work permit. He was granted bail in the amount of $20,000 plus one surety.

Armstrong was also ordered to surrender all travel documents and report to Hamilton Police Station twice a week until his next appearance in Magistrates’ Court on April 29.

Lawyers Justin Williams and Saul Froomkin QC are representing him.

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