WILLEMSTAD – The Public Prosecutor’s Office has demanded an eight-month prison sentence, four months of which would be suspended, against a young driver accused of causing a fatal traffic accident in August 2024 while driving without a license and at more than 170 kilometers per hour.
S. La Fayete was killed in the accident on August 12, 2024. According to the prosecutor, the driver lost control of a BMW while negotiating a curve after “Tap Maar In.” La Fayete was thrown from the vehicle and died as a result of the severe impact.
The defendant was 18 years old at the time of the accident. The prosecutor argued that his decision to drive without a license and then travel at an extremely high speed while carrying several passengers made his conduct particularly serious.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, statements previously given by the defendant to police indicate that he had been driving at very high speed. During the court hearing, the defendant said his earlier statements were accurate, except for the portion in which he allegedly said there had not been a race.
The prosecution said a witness who was inside the BMW gave a different account, stating that there had in fact been some form of race or competition.
The prosecutor also noted that one of the vehicle’s tires was almost completely deflated.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office characterized the defendant’s driving behavior as irresponsible and argued that the extreme speed played a decisive role in the fatal accident.
In determining its sentencing demand, the prosecution said it took the defendant’s young age into consideration. Nevertheless, it believes a prison sentence is appropriate given the combination of driving without a license, traveling at an extremely high speed and having several other people inside the vehicle.
The prosecution is seeking eight months in prison, with four months suspended and a probationary period of three years. It also requested that the defendant be prohibited from driving for two years, although he currently does not have a driver’s license.
The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 2.