The Crown prosecution has declined to accept a plea of death by careless driving by a truck driver accused of causing the death of a motorcycle rider, and the case will now proceed to trial.
William Guardados Duarte, 55, last month pleaded guilty to causing the death of Kieron Watler, admitting careless driving, but denied causing death by dangerous driving.
On Friday, 5 Sept., prosecutor Martin Mulgrew confirmed to Grand Court Justice Emma Peters that the Crown intended to pursue the more serious charge of death by dangerous driving.
The matter is now scheduled to go to trial on 5 Jan. next year, and is set down for two days.
Watler, 28, died on the morning of 25 April 2023 after his motorbike was struck on Walkers Road in George Town by an Isuzu Elf truck driven by Duarte.
Peters ordered that Duarte’s driving licence be immediately revoked, pending the outcome of the trial.
