Driver faces manslaughter for teen’s fiery death

THE driver of the car that resulted in the fiery death of Liesel King, 16, on Sunday night and the injuries of several others, faces a possible manslaughter or reckless driving charge. According to senior police sources, “once our investigations are over, we will know if any charges are to be laid. “And if charges are to be laid, most likely it will be against the driver of the Sentra for either manslaughter or reckless driving.”

Liesel was burnt alive while Raeann Diaz, 16, and father Everald King, 52,  received multiple burns to their bodies following an accident on Sunday night at the Trincity Road and Churchill Roosevelt Highway intersection. According to the police report, the Sentra driven by Jason Pinto slammed into the rear of a Mazda 626 driven by Everald King causing it to slam into a pickup van in front. The accident caused King’s vehicle and the car driven by Pinto to burst into flames. Liesel was trapped inside, while her father, Diaz and the five occupants of the other car received various degree burns. Up to press time, King and Diaz were still in critical condition, while four of the others were in satisfactory condition. A fifth man received minor burns and was discharged. The injured men were carried to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital while Diaz was sent to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Ag Cpl Anthony Andrews is heading the investigation. Liesel King, a Form Five student of St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain, will be buried on Thursday.