The driver of the vehicle which was involved in the accident at Pearl last Sunday which claimed the life of policeman Sherwin Denny was refused bail yesterday when he appeared in Court One charged with three traffic offences.
However a charge for causing death by dangerous driving is expected to be laid shortly as investigations are said to be ongoing.
Walraven Joseph, 29, of 96 Regent Street pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read by acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
It is alleged that on June 27 at Pearl, East Bank Demerara, he drove motor car PKK 5014 without insurance incurring third party risk. It is also alleged that on the same day his alcohol level was above the prescribed legal amount. Thirdly, he is charged with driving his motorcar without being the holder of a licence. He was represented by attorney K. Juman-Yassin who asked for reasonable bail to be granted.
However Police Prose-cutor Stephen Telford applied for bail to be refused. He said that on the day in question, Joseph drove motorcar PKK 5014 while he was unlicensed.
He said that the defendant drove the car at a fast rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle which then collided with another and resulted in the death of the occupant of the other car.
He added that after the accident, a test was conducted on the defendant and it was found that he had 0.88% alcohol in his system while the legal limit is 0.35%.
Telford asked the court to view the offence with seriousness and to consider that a life was lost in the process.
He then said that the matter was still being investigated and other charges against the defendant are expected to be laid. Juman-Yassin said that Joseph and the deceased were known to each other and were travelling together up the East Bank. In relation to driving under the influence, the attorney said that somebody gave Joseph something to drink to steady his nerves.
Bail was then refused and the matter transferred to the Providence Court for July 7.
Police officer Denny died and several others were injured after two vehicles heading along the Pearl Public Road collided.
