A son of the late minister within the Ministry of Education Desrey Fox was yesterday charged with causing her death last December by dangerous driving.
He was placed on $300,000 bail when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magis-trates’ Court.
Thirty-two-year-old Terrence Fox of Campbell-ville, who appeared distressed as he stood in the courtroom, pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
The charge stated that on December 8, at Thomas Lands, he drove motor vehicle PKK 8875 in a manner dangerous to the public that resulted in an accident which caused the death of his mother.
It had been reported that the minister’s vehicle was heading in an east to west direction while an ambulance, with siren on, was heading south along Vlissengen Road when the collision occurred. Following the collision, the car transporting Fox went into a spin and collided with an Apache taxi, HB 4065, which was on Thomas Lands waiting to turn onto Vlissengen Road.
Terrence Fox was represented by Attorney-at-law Leslie Sobers who, in his bid to secure reasonable bail for his client, stated that his client is the owner of a timber grant and a father of one.
He also said that his client is the sole breadwinner of his family and incarceration would hamper him from providing adequately for them.
Sobers went on to say that if released his client would return to court for his trial.
However, Prosecutor Stephen Telford objected to the bail application on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence.
He stated that it is the duty of a driver to stop and pull over to the side of the road when a siren signals the approach of an emergency vehicle. He said what was more telling was that the accident occurred at a traffic light.
The prosecutor further stated that the police can only do so much to ensure that drivers and others use the road safely.
Sobers then interjected stating that no one knows for certain if the ambulance siren was on at the time of the accident.
He also pointed out that his client is still devastated over the accident since he is being blamed for his mother’s death.
After listening to the prosecutor and arguments by the defence the magistrate granted the defendant bail and ordered that the case be transferred to Court Seven for May 18. (AB)