began serving a 12-month prison term yesterday for his actions.

But before being led away from the Supreme Court, 27-year-old Selwyn Llewellyn Berkeley, of Hillsdale Estate, Smith's Parish, expressed remorse for what he had done.

"I regret what I have done,'' Berkeley said. "I am ashamed. I want to apologise to his wife and family, his parents, my parents, my son and our friends.'' Berkeley pleaded guilty in Supreme Court earlier this week to causing the death of his best friend, Ashanti Keino Smith, by dangerous driving last May.

Yesterday, defence lawyer Marc Telemaque pointed out: "There are no winners in this case. This is a simple tragedy, the far reaching consequences of which will be borne by my client as a punishment in and of itself, for all eternity.'' Mr. Smith died as a result of multiple injuries to his chest and abdomen following the accident on May 2, last year.

Crown counsel Charlene Scott gave an account of the accident which took place close to 3 p.m. that day.

Berkeley was travelling west on the North Shore Road, Smith's Parish in his red Subaru 1800 sedan with his best friend in the front passenger seat.

The court heard that Berkeley was speeding and in overtaking a scooter lost control of the car -- near Clayhouse Inn in Devonshire, colliding with a van travelling east. Eyewitnesses said the car was airborne after the collision.

The driver, Mrs. Vivian Smatt, and her two children -- 12-year-old Adriene and seven-year-old Alexander -- were passengers in the van. Mrs. Smatt and her son both received injuries as a result.

Mrs. Smatt sustained fractures to her arm and leg while her son suffered bruising to his lung and legs.

Berkeley -- the father of a six-year-old boy -- was also hospitalised as a result of the incident and Police were not able to interview him until the middle of August at which time he told them: "I'm truly sorry.'' In addition to the 12-month prison sentence, Berkeley was also banned from driving all motor vehicles for two-and-a-half years.

For two additional charges of causing grievous bodily harm, Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller handed down prison sentences of six months for each count with an 18-month driving ban. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

Selwyn Llewellyn Berkeley