The two men who were charged with causing the death of 11-year-old Austin Lashley Jr. on May 26 were each granted $300,000 bail by Magistrate Chandra Sohan on Monday.
When Desmond De Souza and Darrell Carpenay appeared on May 28 before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, charged with causing death by dangerous driving, they were remanded to prison.
De Souza, 53, of 3330 South Ruimveldt Park is alleged to have on May 26 at Rupert Craig Highway driven motor car HB 8270 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Lashley Jr. He was also charged with driving his car and causing damage to a traffic light installation. He pleaded not guilty to that charge.
Meanwhile Carpenay, 25, of 41 High Street, Werk-en-Rust, is alleged to have driven motorcar PLL 3541 in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Lashley Jr on the same day.
The other charges against him read that on May 26 at Rupert Craig Highway he drove motorcar PLL 3541 while under the influence of alcohol to such an extent to render himself incapable of driving the said vehicle. Further, it is alleged that he caused damage to a traffic light installation. To the two latter charges he pleaded not guilty.
The collision which claimed the life of Lashley occurred around 12:30 am on May 26. The boy’s mother, Paulette Lashley, and two of his siblings, 14-year old Alana and eight-year-old Acknette, sustained injuries in the accident.
Alana was later discharged from the hospital.
The woman and her three children were returning home from the annual Independence Anniversary celebrations at the National Park when the accident occurred.
