The driver who was involved in an accident that allegedly caused the death of a Lamaha Street resident last Tuesday at Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara, was granted bail yesterday in the sum of $400,000.

Thirty-nine-year-old Andrew Williams of Lot 221 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

It is alleged that on March 24 at Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara, Williams drove motor vehicle PKK 9001 in a dangerous manner which resulted in an accident that claimed the life of 44-year-old Motiram Persaud.

However, attorney-at-law Mark Waldron, representing Williams, said that on the day in question his client was proceeding east along the East Coast Demerara Public Road when Persaud who was standing on a pathway separating the northern and southern roadways, suddenly stepped onto the road and was hit by his client’s car. The lawyer said his client was at the time driving very close to the pathway from which Persaud had stepped off and so the accident was inevitable. Waldron then stated that his client was placed on $60,000 station bail and requested that it remain the same.

The prosecution made no objections to the bail application but stated that it should be in a substantial amount. The prosecution said that from the damage that Williams’ vehicle received and the injuries Persaud sustained as a result of the accident, Williams may have been driving at a very fast rate.

The magistrate subsequently granted Williams bail in the sum of $400,000 and ordered that he return to court on April 2.

According to information received from the police, the accident occurred around 12:30 pm. Police investigations had revealed that Williams was proceeding in his car along the northern carriageway when Persaud apparently attempted to cross and was struck by the car.