54-Y-O minibus driver granted bail for fatal Rupununi crash
May 14 2026
A 54-year-old Linden minibus driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other traffic-related offences following a fatal collision on Toka Trail Road in the North Rupununi earlier this week.
Lester Baker of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he was formally charged in connection with the May 11 fatal accident.
Baker, who was driving minibus #BAL 8894 at the time of the incident, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and refusing to consent to a breathalyzer test.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges of causing death by dangerous driving and operating an uninsured vehicle and was granted a total of $410,000 bail.
However, Baker pleaded guilty to refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test and was fined $20,000.
The case was adjourned to July 13, 2026, for trial. As part of his bail conditions, Baker is required to report to the police every Friday.
Police said the charges stem from a collision that occurred around 20:00h on May 11 along Toka Trail Road, North Rupununi, Region Nine.
Investigators said the accident involved the minibus driven by Baker and motorcycle #CP 3638, which was being ridden by Orin Davis, a 38-year-old resident of Toka Village.
Davis died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. A 34-year-old woman from Annai Village, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, was also involved in the accident.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination conducted on Davis’ body on Thursday by Government Pathologist Nehaul Singh determined that he died from multiple injuries consistent with a motor vehicle accident.
