American national charged with double murder gets bail extension

An American national who was charged with double manslaughter for deaths which resulted from a fatal crash, had her bail extended when she appeared before the Hanover Parish Court in Sandy Bay earlier today.

Ayanna Montana, a resident of Florida in the USA, was charged after she reportedly crashed into a motorcycle earlier this month, killing both driver and pillion. 

Montana was ordered to return to court on January 2, 2023, and bail was extended.

Presiding judge Natisha Fairclough-Hilton also ruled that the bail conditions imposed on the accused, including reporting to the police, be lifted.

This clears the way for Montana to return home.

The court heard that about 4:50 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, Montana was driving a White 2020 Honda City motor car from the direction of Hopewell, Hanover towards Montego Bay, St James.

It is further reported that on reaching a section of the Round Hill main road, in the vicinity of the main gate of the Round Hill Hotel, she failed to keep to her left and crashed into a motorcycle.

The driver and his pillion, later identified as

32-year-old Winston Holness, of Morris district in Hanover, and another man identified only as 'Shay', of a St James address, sustained injuries and were later pronounced dead at hospital.

Montana and a male occupant in her car also sustained injuries and were transported to the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, where they were treated and later released.

Montana was later charged.

- Hopeton Bucknor 

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