A 25-year-old Sandys man was yesterday found guilty of killing 22-year-old by dangerous driving.

Around 3 a.m. on September 6, 2008, Mendall Outerbridge ran over Raymond Curtis, who the prosecution admitted was already lying in the middle of the Malabar Road, Sandys. After more than five hours of deliberation the six man, six woman jury found Outerbridge guilty by a majority verdict.

Yesterday Mr. Curtis’ family said they were pleased with the verdict because it gave them closure after almost two years of waiting.

Gloriette Rollins, his aunt, said: “Mixed emotions. I am glad it’s over for the family. We found closure. I am sad for the Outerbridge family, but we needed a little peace.

”It has been almost two years and we are just glad. It (listening to the case) brought back that morning and I had to go and view my nephew’s body and some of the things they were saying.

”I hope this is a lesson to Outerbridge. I don’t want to see any wrong done to him but I am glad it’s over for our family. It’s a lesson and I hope it’s a message for those young Bermudian men and women. You cannot take a car that’s not licensed; you can’t take off and go.”

Mr. Curtis’ grandmother, Inez Curtis said her grandson had been planning a vacation with his mother before the accident happened and was a successful labourer.

She said: “Raymond was a good boy. He was a hard worker. He was working at that community centre in Sandys as a labourer. They liked him very much.”

During the case the jury heard Outerbridge was driving a car home from a night out drinking in Somerset and Hamilton even though he admitted he had no valid driver’s licence, vehicle licence or insurance at the time.

He also admitted he collided with Mr. Curtis between 3.38 a.m. and 3.53 a.m. and failed to report the accident, but always denied the more serious charge of causing his death.

Mr. Curtis, who lived in a derelict building in Dockyard, had also been on his way home that morning after leaving Woody’s in Somerset around 12.30 a.m. to go to the boat club.

Around 4 a.m. Mr. Curtis’ body was found by Andre Shakir, 22, who was returning home from a party at Somerset Boat Club. He had to swerve to miss what he described as a body lying on the yellow centre line, and stopped to call emergency services.

A forensic pathologist, Michael Pollanen, testified that Mr. Curtis’ injuries were consistent with the body being struck while he was lying on the road and being dragged.

Though after being cross-examined by Defence lawyer Mark Pettingill, Dr. Pollanen agreed that it was “not unreasonable” to suggest the injuries had been sustained after his death.

Red paint found on the road near the accident, according to Detective Sergeant Kevin Christopher led the Police to Outerbridge’s home in Dockyard where his Subaru was parked nearby with wet blood on it. Outerbridge was arrested.

Yesterday, Mr. Pettingill admitted that he was obviously disappointed with the verdict and Outerbridge’s aunt, Akanke Simmons expressed hope for the two families.

She said: “The jury has spoken. I just hope both families have the courage to move forward.”

Puisne Court Judge Carlisle Greaves remanded Outerbridge in custody and ordered a social inquiry report and for him to return for arraignments on March 1 for sentencing.