By Breaking Belize News Staff: Oscar Alexander Galindo, 20, pleaded guilty in the High Court before Justice Derick Sylvester on Thursday to the lesser charge of causing death by careless conduct in connection with the fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of 19-year-old Denia Ashanti Rowland.
Rowland, a Belizean call center agent of Lords Bank Village, died on impact in the early hours of Saturday, April 6, 2024, following a crash in Ladyville. Police reports allege that the vehicle in which she was traveling lost control and flipped several times. As a result, Rowland was flung from the vehicle and struck the pavement, dying at the scene.
Galindo, who was identified as the driver, accepted responsibility for his actions in Rowland’s death by entering the guilty plea to the lesser offense. He had initially been charged with the more serious crime of manslaughter by negligence. He was also read additional charges of causing death by careless conduct, driving with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit, and negligent grievous harm upon Glenford Dougal.
Justice Sylvester extended Galindo’s existing bail of $6,000 plus one surety of the same amount, or two sureties of $3,000 each, and deferred sentencing until April 14, 2026. The court also ordered a Social Inquiry Report (SIR) and witness statements from proposed character witnesses. Both the Crown and the defense were urged to agree on the aggravating and mitigating factors ahead of the mitigation plea.
Galindo was initially unrepresented when he was indicted and was appointed counsel by the state. Last week, Justice Sylvester appointed Attorney Oscar Selgado to represent him.
As part of his bail conditions, Galindo must report to the Racoon Street Police Station every two weeks when he comes into Belize City, as he indicated that he works on a caye and only travels to the city biweekly.
He is scheduled to return to the High Court on April 14, 2026, for his mitigation plea and sentencing.
The post Oscar Galindo pleads guilty to causing death in Ladyville crash that killed Denia Rowland appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Oscar Alexander Galindo, 20, pleaded guilty in the High Court before Justice Derick Sylvester on Thursday to the lesser charge of causing death by careless conduct in connection with the fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of 19-year-old Denia Ashanti Rowland. Rowland, a Belizean call center agent of Lords
The post Oscar Galindo pleads guilty to causing death in Ladyville crash that killed Denia Rowland appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.