Almost three years after he allegedly hit and killed a Cuban doctor on Homestretch Avenue, a 28-year-old taxi driver appeared in court charged for the fatal accident and was released on $150,000 bail by Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.
Nigel Williams of Lot 17 Durban Street, Lodge pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
It is alleged that on March 28, 2005, Williams being the driver of motor car HB 1979 drove in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Omar Diaz.
Reports are that around 7 pm on the day in question Diaz was in an open-back vehicle heading home after a day of kite flying when in the vicinity of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall going towards Mandela Avenue his hat blew off.
The driver of the vehicle stopped for him to go and retrieve the hat. Just after he had done so and was returning to the vehicle he was hit by Williams’ car which was going east along the northern side of Homestretch Avenue at a fast rate. He was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital but died while receiving medical attention.
On the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Williams was arrested and charged with the present offence.
Dr. Diaz came to Guyana in 2000 on a two-year contract and after that ended he approached the High Court for permission to live and practise his profession here. He was to appear in the High Court on April 8, 2005 for a decision in that matter.
Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron entered an appearance for Williams and in his bail application stressed that the deceased was negligent in causing his own death. The defence counsel pointed out too that he could not understand why his client was now being charged.
Police prosecutor Sherwin Mathews in response to Waldron’s submission said that Diaz’s hat had flown off but he could not say if it was in the middle of the road. Matthews said that the defendant was going at a fast rate. He added that the file was sent to the DPP but the police had some difficulties finding him.
The magistrate later granted bail. The matter will continue on February 25 next year.
