By Alric Lindsay
After a judge-alone trial, William Guadados Duarte was found guilty today, January 27, 2026, of causing the death of motorcyclist Kieron Watler through dangerous driving on Walkers Road.
According to the details shared in court, on April 25, 2023, at around 6:20 am, Guadados Duarte drove an Isuzu truck southbound on Walkers Road. Meanwhile, Watler rode northbound on Walkers Road on a dirt bike.
Reportedly, Guadados Duarte signalled for a right turn into Memorial Rural, slowed down, but did not come to a complete stop. Guadados Duarte failed to yield to oncoming traffic as required by the Traffic Act.
Dashcam footage from off-duty police officer Melinda Kelly and CCTV captured the bike visible from 150 feet as the truck crossed the centerline without braking.
The collision threw Watler onto the truck, causing fatal injuries.
Guadados Duarte did not stop immediately, but drove a short distance, after which he parked and checked on Watler.
Guadados Duarte’s attorney, Crister Brady, argued that this was not an instance of dangerous driving, but rather an example of momentary inattention or misjudgment.
Defence counsel highlighted that none of the factors were present to meet the test of dangerous driving. To prove this, defence counsel highlighted several matters, including the following:
** Guadados Duarte was doing about 21mph in a 25mph zone and, as such, was not speeding
** His vehicle was not defective
** There was no issue as to sobriety (he was not intoxicated)
** Correct signals were used
** His truck was not overloaded
After hearing from the prosecution and defence counsels, Justice Richards made the following observations:
** At the time of the incident, it was daylight, there was no rain, and visibility was good. There was nothing to obstruct the view of Guadados Duarte
** There was nothing to cause skidding
** There were no mechanical issues with Guadados Duarte’s vehicle
** Traffic was light
Justice Richards also considered that Watler was riding a dirtbike, which made a loud sound and was wearing a highly visible green shirt that, presumably, should have caught the attention of Guadados Duarte.
Justice Richards concluded that Guadados Duarte’s driving fell “far below” a competent driver’s standard and was “obviously dangerous.”
Justice Richards noted that while Guadados Duarte did not have any obligation to give a testimony, she was entitled to draw adverse inferences from the lack of explanation for failing to see/hear the conspicuous bike. She added that Guadados Duarte’s failure to react immediately lends support to such inferences.
In the circumstances, Justice Richards found Guadados Duarte guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. His sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
Note to readers
The Traffic Act (2021 Revision) stated as follows:
Causing death by dangerous or reckless driving
75. (1) A person who drives a vehicle on a road dangerously or recklessly, having regard to the manner of driving or to the defective condition of the vehicle, and by so doing causes the death of another person commits an offence.
(2) A constable may arrest without warrant a person whom that constable has reasonable grounds to believe has committed an offence under subsection (1).
(3) An offence under subsection (1) is triable on indictment, and upon conviction the offender is liable to imprisonment for ten years and, in addition, shall, without an order by the court, automatically be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a term of five years or such longer period as the court may order.
(4) The period of disqualification runs from the date of conviction or the expiration of a sentence of imprisonment, as the court may direct, and the particulars of the offence shall be endorsed on the driver’s driving record.
Regarding the duties of drivers, the Traffic Act (2021 Revision) stated as follows:
Duties of drivers
68. A driver shall —
(a) drive in such a manner as to have full control of the vehicle at all times;
(b) keep to the left half of the road except when travelling in a one-way street or overtaking, or when otherwise directed by a traffic sign or signal, a police signal or signal by other authorised person;
(c) before making a right hand turn, give the right of way to all approaching vehicles;
(d) except where driving an emergency vehicle, comply with all traffic signs and signals;
(e) comply with all signals and other lawful directions given by constables or wardens;
(f) drive at a speed and in a manner and at a distance from other vehicles as to be able to stop in an emergency without being involved in a collision;
(g) keep a watch on the road behind and in front of the vehicle being driven;
(h) give prior warning of any intended manoeuvre by means of the prescribed hand or traffic indicator signals;
(i) avoid obstructing other vehicles whether the vehicle under control is moving or stationary;
(j) manage the vehicle so as to be able to stop within the limit of vision available at any given time;
(k) where an intersection or road junction is without a traffic sign or signal giving priority to a road, drive in a way so as to avoid the possibility of collision with any other road user, irrespective of the relative size or condition of the intersection or adjoining roads;
(l) not park a vehicle in a place or in a way that obscures —
(i) the view of the road;
(ii) a road sign; or
(iii) a road intersection or junction, from any other road user or to deny to any other road user free passage along any road;
(m) give right of way to emergency vehicles and other vehicles used by officials prescribed in regulations made under this Act;
(n) keep illuminated at night —
(i) the rear light or lights;
(ii) the front head light or lights; and
(iii) the registration plate light, as prescribed for the class of vehicle driven; and
(o) comply with the road code.
