ONE of the drivers charged, after 12 people died in a smash-up on Mon Repos Public Road last year, has been freed of causing their deaths.

Dereck Basdeo called Leroy Derrick, of Shieldstown, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, was discharged on December 3, after Magistrate Elizabeth Hinds found him not guilty of the charges at Sparendaam Court, also on East Coast Demerara.

Police had alleged that Basdeo drove his mini-bus dangerously on March 6, 2000 and the collision involved a vehicle in which 28 persons were on their way home from 'Mash Day' celebrations in New Amsterdam, a Berbice town.

But Mrs Hinds agreed with Defence Counsel Hookumchand that the evidence of two witnesses, who are surviving passengers, failed to prove the accused was speeding or that they saw what took place.

The crash was one of the worst highway mishaps and one of the buses, a 15-seater was reportedly carrying overload.