Bus Driver Charged: Manslaughter

Police had initially classified 18-year-old Elton Rufus Butler’s death as accidental.

Handcuffed, Michael Green Sturrup, walked into the court, his wife, brother and other family members in tow.

Police reports are that Butler, a resident of Millennium Gardens, was pinned under the route 15A bus after Sturrup pursued him and later crashed into the wall of a home on Sapphire Ridge Road in eastern New Providence.

According to police, the victim asked the jitney driver to stop at the Wendy’s restaurant in the Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, and – according to the driver – attempted to steal coins while the driver was outside the bus.

The driver reportedly caught the youth stealing the coins, whereupon Butler allegedly fled towards Sapphire Ridge Road.

Sturrup, police said, immediately got into the bus and pursued the young man, crashing into a residential wall with the youth trapped between the bus and the wall. Butler was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to court dockets, 13 witnesses are expected to testify in the case including forensic pathologist Dr. Govinda Raju and several police officers.

Sturrup was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

His attorney Jairam Mangra argued that his client was a family man and as such should be allowed to return to his family on bail.

The accused was instead remanded into custody.