More than 17 years after a fatal head-on collision on one of Barbados’ busiest highways, a High Court judge has delivered a non-negotiable final deadline to the convicted motorist at the center of the case: settle all outstanding court-imposed fines by his next review hearing or prepare to serve an 18-month prison sentence.
Renaldo Ricardo Skinner, a resident of Checker Hall, St Lucy, entered a guilty plea to a charge of dangerous driving causing death. The conviction stems from an August 22, 2008 crash on the Warleigh stretch of the Ronald Mapp Highway that claimed the life of motorist Fabian Campbell, who was travelling with his young son at the time of the incident.
Court records detail the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash: Skinner, driving in one direction along the highway, attempted to overtake two vehicles directly into the oncoming lane where Campbell was travelling. To avoid a direct head-on collision, Campbell swerved his vehicle sharply left, striking a roadside embankment. The impact caused Campbell to lose full control of his car, which crossed back across the opposite lane before vaulting over highway guardrails. Campbell was pronounced dead at the crash site. His young son survived the incident.
Due to prolonged procedural delays that kept the case from being adjudicated for 17 years after the crash, Justice Pamela Beckles handed down a $7,500 fine during a February sentencing hearing rather than imposing immediate prison time. Under the original sentencing terms, $3,000 of the fine was due immediately, with the remaining $4,500 required to be paid within six months of the ruling. The justice noted at the time that failure to pay the full fine would trigger the alternative sentence of 18 months of incarceration at Dodds Prison.
When the case was called for a compliance review at the No. 5 Supreme Court this week, Skinner told the court he has paid $4,000 of the total fine to date, leaving $3,500 still outstanding.
Justice Beckles made clear that no further extensions to the payment window would be granted, telling the defendant bluntly: “I expect the balance to be paid in full when you next appear. No extension will be granted. So ensure it is paid by December 11 or walk with your toothbrush.” Skinner acknowledged the ultimatum, replying simply “Yes, Ma’am.”
Acting Senior State Counsel Maya Kellman appeared for the prosecution on behalf of Acting Principal State Counsel Kevin Forde, while Senior Counsel Arthur Holder represented Skinner throughout the proceedings.