Charge against driver dismissed following compensation in Mandela Avenue fatal accident

After a fatal collision on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, the driver involved is now a free man after the family of the deceased accepted compensation.

The accident occurred on September 1, 2023, when a hire car driven by 52-year-old Lloyd McKenzie collided with a motorcycle operated by 33-year-old Martin Samuels, resulting in Samuels’ death.

Dead: Martin Samuels

The crash took place around 7:15 am at the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Cemetery Road. Initially, McKenzie was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

The case saw a significant development last Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when the mother of Samuels’ children testified that an agreement had been reached with McKenzie’s legal team for compensation to the deceased family.

She confirmed that the full compensation had been paid, though the amount was not disclosed in court. Following her testimony, acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus dismissed the charge against McKenzie.

Police reports indicate that the accident happened as McKenzie attempted to turn right onto the southern carriageway while the traffic light signalled red, leading to the deadly collision with Samuels' motorcycle.

Samuels was thrown into the air by the impact and was later pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital despite immediate medical efforts.

McKenzie was initially detained for investigation, later charged, and had been on $300,000 bail prior to the dismissal of his charges following the compensation agreement.