(CMR) Wilfred Ellington Myles (28) pleaded guilty in Grand Court today to causing death by dangerous driving and other offenses in the April incident killed Ignacio (Nacho) Kirzner.
However, he pleaded not guilty to causing death while under the influence of alcohol. It was disclosed in court today that Myles was driving a GMC Yukon on the wrong side of North Church Street, George Town in the early morning hours of April 15. Kirzner was cycling to work when Myles struck him doing at least 41-mph in a 25-mph zone.
Myles then drove him calling his father and informing him he needed help. His girlfriend overheard the conversation and contacted the police. He has also pleaded guilty to taking and driving her vehicle without her permission or the insurance/certficiate of road-worthiness. He was arrested shortly after. Arresting officers stated that he had a strong smell of alcohol on him and was slurring his speech at the time.
Myles was subjected to a blood-alcohol test that indicated a .256 reading – more than two times the legal limit of .10. Myles claims that he has little recollection of the accident. His lawyer, Prathna Bodden, claims that he did not realize he had hit someone.
In mitigation, she informed the court that he immediately told the responding officers that he had been driving the car that night and that he later indicated he would plead guilty at the earliest possible moment. He also voluntarily provided a letter of apology to the family.
The court was also informed that Myles, who was already on a suspended 6 month sentence, was undergoing rehabilitation for alcohol addiction; but has an extensive criminal history. With 26 previous offenses including several for DUI, suspended driving licenses and breaching curfew Myles is no stranger to the legal system.
A victim impact statement was shared in court and some relatives of the victim were also present. It shared that Kirzner has just turned 22 less than two weeks before his death. He was described as being a hard worker that had plans to bring his family and girlfriend to Cayman to join him.
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving in Cayman is 10 years. However, Myles could receipt up to 1/3 reduction for his early guilty plea. Justice Roger Chapple will be rendering his sentence within a few weeks but expressed the difficulty of this decision on any judge.
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