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UPDATE: Charges dropped against Roland ‘Crash’ Allen in tourist death case

Roland ‘Crash’ Allen, who was accused of causing death by dangerous driving and reckless driving, had the charges dropped against him when he appeared before Justice Albert Redhead on the opening day of the October assizes today, October 9, 2012. Mr. Allen is serving time for sex related offences. Photo: VINO/File
The October criminal assizes, which opened today October 9, 2012, will see murder cases heard against Alcedo Tyson (left, photo: Facebook) who is charged for the alleged murder of 20 year-old Kwanna Todd-Rhymer in March and Allen Baptiste , who along with Yan Edwards and Rodney Simmonds Jr, is charged with killing Keri Harrigan in March 2011 at Long Look. Photo: VINO/File
The October criminal assizes, which opened today October 9, 2012, will see murder cases heard against Alcedo Tyson (left, photo: Facebook) who is charged for the alleged murder of 20 year-old Kwanna Todd-Rhymer in March and Allen Baptiste , who along with Yan Edwards and Rodney Simmonds Jr, is charged with killing Keri Harrigan in March 2011 at Long Look. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Roland ‘Crash’ Allen, who was accused of causing death by dangerous driving and reckless driving, had the charges dropped against him when he appeared before Justice Albert Redhead on the opening day of the October assizes today, October 9, 2012.

Justice Redhead told the defendant that the crown did not wish to proceed with the case but did not state the reason and neither did the Prosecution. Allen was free to go but not very far as he is also serving time for sex related offences

Allen, who was a tour bus operator at the time, was accused of allegedly causing the death of an American tourist due to reckless driving.

He was allegedly behind the wheel of the tour bus that overturned on Windy Hill on February 23, 2010. It resulted in the death of 24 year-old Aaron Rumphrey of New York. Six other passengers were treated at Peebles Hospital and released.

A Police press release issued at the time of the incident had stated a total of 20 cruise ship passengers from the Caribbean Princess were on the tour bus descending the Windy Hill Road when the driver struck an embankment and the vehicle overturned.

Of the 20, 13 passengers were assessed at the scene and taken directly back to the cruise ship.

At the time, Allen was granted bail in the sum of $60,000 - $25,000 cash and $35,000 signed surety. His driver’s license was also suspended, but he landed back in prison after being charged for sex related offences. He is currently serving time for those offenses.

Meanwhile, trial dates were given for some fifteen cases to be heard during the October assizes, which incidentally included two murder cases and a number of attempted murder charges as well. 

The murder cases included that involving Alcedo Tyson, who is being represented by Orion Law, as well as the trio of Yan Edwards, Allen Baptiste and Rodney Simmonds Jr who is represented by Vernon E. Malone & Co., McW Todman & Co. and J. S. Archibald and Co.

The trio is also charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. 

Police charged 23-year old Alcedo Tyson for the alleged murder of 20 year-old Kwanna Todd-Rhymer, who was found critically wounded in the vicinity of CSY parking lot, Baughers Bay a little after 4 a.m. on Friday March 16, 2012 but died before medical personnel arrived on the scene.

Yan Edwards, Allen Baptiste and Rodney Simmonds Jr are charged with killing Keri Harrigan in March 2011 at Long Look,

Also charged with attempted murder is Wakima Lettsome, who has the additional charge of wounding with intent. Lettsome is represented by Vernon E Malone & Company. 

Another high profile case is the re-trial of Andre Penn, who is charged with Indecent assault, unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of thirteen years and buggery. Penn is represented by McW Todaman & Co. 

Among the other cases to be heard in the October assizes are those of Ian Thomas (rape and kidnapping with intent); Chane Smith (rape); Julian Christopher (rape and indecent assault); Oswin Baker (rape); Troy Prince (indecent assault); Roro Eduorre and Renold Plasimond (unsafe conveyance, smuggling of immigrants and manslaughter); Stedroy Matthew (reckless driving); Roland Allen (reckless driving and causing death by reckless driving); Leonie Thompson (wounding); Danny Benjamin (wounding with intent); Jakiel Harrigan (handling stolen goods and acquisition, possession or use of the proceeds of criminal conduct) as well as that of Jazz Freeman (burglary).

12 Responses to “UPDATE: Charges dropped against Roland ‘Crash’ Allen in tourist death case”

  • tell the truth (09/10/2012, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    With the house sitting today it will be a mess with court and all those people in there!
  • Lock Dem Up (09/10/2012, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope that Mr. Redhead throw the book at mr. tyson because animals like them need to be cage away for a very long time
  • talk girl talk (09/10/2012, 09:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ayo better free JJ
  • so so (09/10/2012, 14:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    tis bout time they let the man go free
  • high hope (09/10/2012, 14:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope most of these people are found guilty and gets the maximum possible sentence with no parole...lol
  • Liat 521 (09/10/2012, 15:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ha ha maybe some body or family memeber done collect insurance money so case closed in the BVI...well sah
  • jail bird (09/10/2012, 22:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    bouy me thought you were free but right back in jail
  • what a thing (10/10/2012, 11:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    mehson he blaiming breaks no sir you yuhslef say you pop the gears and cud not geh it back in so sad peeps got killed other get blaim but it was a human error that whats proven no mecanical failure at all U lucky you got off but still lives taken an other damage fuh eva


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