Byron Messia, Producer Face $J3 Million Lawsuit Over St. Mary Car Crash

Byron Messia. Inset: the crashed BMW in St. Mary

St. Kitts-based Dancehall artist Byron Messia and producer Wayne Campbell are being sued by Jamaica MVP Imports Limited over alleged damage to the car rental company’s white BMW 316i following an accident in Jamaica.

The lawsuit, filed in Supreme Court Civil Divisions on August 30, 2023, alleges that Messia and Campbell are responsible for over J$3 million (approximately US$19,300) in damages, loss of income, attorneys’ fees, and other associated costs.

According to the Jamaica Observer, Campbell and Byron entered into a written rental agreement with the car rental company on June 7, 2023, to lease a white BMW 316i.

On June 10, the vehicle was involved in an accident near the Junction area in St Mary. The lawsuit claims that one of the defendants “negligently drove, managed, controlled and/or failed to manage or control” the rented vehicle, resulting in it veering off the road and crashing. According to Jamaica MVP Imports, the accident led to both material damages and a loss of income for the rental company.

Reports following the accident indicated that some of the vehicle’s occupants were injured. Messia, however, was not seriously hurt and took to Instagram soon after the incident to express his gratitude for his survival and that of his friends.

Subsequent to the accident, an arrangement was allegedly made between Messia and Jamaica MVP Imports Limited. According to the lawsuit, Messia agreed to pay a sum of $2.5 million to compensate for the vehicle’s damages. However, only J$1 million has been paid, with Messia allegedly refusing to pay the remaining balance of $1.5 million.

According to the Observer, a spokesperson for Messia said the Talibans artist had no contractual obligation to cover the remaining balance.

 “When the accident took place Byron said he would assist in sorting out the expenses related to fixing the car. He gave the producer 1 million cash and said ‘put that towards whatever you’re doing,’” the rep further explained.

The representative also disputed the claim that one of the defendants was driving during the accident, stating that Messia had hired a chauffeur.

Moreover, the representative emphasized that they have not yet received any documents indicating that a lawsuit has been filed against the artist.