The driver of the route 44 minibus which turned turtle at the corner of Rupert Craig Highway and Conversation Tree last Friday, taking the life of a conductor, was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Bhagwandeen Budhram, 34, of 14 Lusignan Pasture, East Coast Demerara was not required to plead when the charge was read to him. The charge alleges that on May 28 at Rupert Craig Highway he drove minibus BKK 2686 in a manner which was dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Arvind Ramroop.
He was represented by Attorney-at-law Deborah Kumar, who in her bail application told the court that her client has no antecedent. She added that the accident involved three vehicles – a pick-up, a car and the bus driven by Budhram.
She said it was unfortunate that because of the accident Budhram lost his employee and friend. Ramroop was said to have been employed by Budhram for the past three years.
The attorney added that her client has been cooperating fully with the police and had been in custody since last Friday.
Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Telford in response to Kumar’s submissions said that if Budhram had practiced the three Cs (care, caution and courtesy) then his conductor and friend would now be alive.
Additionally Telford said that the accident on the day involved two vehicles. He said that the accused was speeding and heading in an easterly direction when he lost control of his vehicle which then collided with the other two vehicles on the road.
The prosecutor said that despite the many campaigns aimed at addressing speeding on the country’s roads, drivers continue to operate as if “the road belongs to them.” He asked for bail to be refused.
Budhram was then remanded and the matter put down until June 8 in Court Seven.
Arvind Ramroop, 30, of Lot 1 Lusignan, Railway Embankment, ECD, lost his life when the minibus turned turtle pinning him as it skidded to a halt. In the aftermath of the wreckage, his head which bore the brunt of the impact was severely disfigured.
The accident occurred around 10:30 hrs.
