A 45-year-old mechanic accused of causing the death of a 17-year-old boy by driving in a dangerous manner, while under the influence of alcohol, was granted bail when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Haniff Yusuf of 113 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop pleaded not guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 by Magistrate Fazil Azeez, who also ordered him to lodge his passport with the court.
It is alleged that last Wednesday, Yusuf caused the death of Totaram Persaud by driving motor van PDD 7198 on the Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara public road in a manner dangerous to the public.
It is also alleged that on the same day also on the Plantain Walk public road, he drove the van when under the influence of alcohol to such an extent as to render himself incapable of having proper control of the said vehicle.
Reports are that Persaud and another student were walking on the western side of the Plantain Walk public road heading north, when he was hit from behind by the vehicle. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Yusuf was taken into police custody and following investigations was charged for the offence.
Attorney-at-law Abiola Wong-Inniss entered an appearance for Yusuf. She told the court that, according to her instructions, the deceased and some others were playing on the road when one of the children pushed Persaud in the path of the vehicle. Yusuf in asking for bail informed the court that he is married with four children, the youngest being 11 months old. He stated that he is 45-years-old and is a mechanic.
Police Prosecutor Hamaladeen Baksh said that after the accident, the vehicle that Yusuf was driving stopped 275 feet away from the spot where Persaud was hit. He said that the defendant was taken to the hospital where he was tested for alcohol.
After listening to the submissions, the magistrate granted bail on the condition that Yusuf lodge his passport before being released and ordered him to return to court on February 4 at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.