HARBOUR BRIDGE CRASH: Truck driver sent to jail, owner on bail

January 30, 2026

The Guyana Police Force on Friday morning paraded the motor lorry GAC 296 driver, 23-year-Old Jomel Kenny of Lot 48 Anna Catherina, and the lorry’s owner, 55-year-old Mark Antonio Johnson of Lot 6 C Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, for the deadly crash on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge which occurred on Thursday morning, January 29, 2026.

Jomel Kenny was charged with being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance, and faulty packing of load, while, Mark Antiono Johnson, (whose name is on the registration as the owner) was charged with breach of insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver and permitting a breach of insurance.

Kenny was remanded to jail until February 04, 2026, while Johnson was placed on $50,000 court bail.

The two appeared at the Diamond/Grove Magistrates Court before Magistrate Delon Bess, where the charges were read to them, and they both pleaded not guilty.

On Thursday while heading east along the BJDRB, the lorry began rolling back as it climbed a steep section of the bridge, as it descended backwards, the lorry which was loaded with cement, began slamming into traffic which was traveling behind it, resulting in the death of one and the injury to persons and damage to private property (vehicles) and public infrastructure, (the bridge).

The investigations are ongoing, and while state engineers are examining the extent of the damage to the bridge with a view of having it fixed by the culpable party(ies).