Driver who fell asleep and crashed into car on Mandela Highway fined $150,000

A 56-year-old motorist who fell asleep while driving along the Mandela Highway and crashed into a parked car, injuring the driver, was today fined $150,000 or three months’ imprisonment in the St Catherine Parish Court.

Vernon Nesbeth was charged with dangerous driving, but his attorney, Charles Williams, made a mitigation submission.

Nesbeth subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of careless driving with collision.

Nesbeth was told that the maximum fine is $500,000.

He was informed that the maximum fine for the offence is $500,000.

However, Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne imposed a fine of $150,000 or three months’ imprisonment, plus 10 demerit points from his driver’s licence.

Facts outlined by the Clerk of Courts are that about 2:00 p.m., on February 26, 2025, Nesbeth was driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara Sports Utility Vehicle along the highway when, upon reaching a section of the roadway, he fell asleep and ran off the road.

His vehicle slammed into a parked Honda Fit motor car, injuring the driver.

An investigation was conducted by the police and Nesbeth was charged with dangerous driving.

- Rasbert Turner

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