The lorry driver accused of causing the death of Quincy Vibert Kelman following an accident on Mandela Avenue on Sunday night was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $300,000.
The allegation against Charles Jagan of Jonestown, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, is that on May 8 on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he drove motor lorry GJJ 489 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Kelman.
The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving when it was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
In presenting the facts of the case, Police Corporal Venetta Pindar told the court that on the day in question, the defendant and Kelman were travelling in opposite directions on Mandela Avenue when the incident occurred.
According to the prosecution, the defendant was driving east along the southern side of Mandela Avenue and after overtaking a car he collided with Kelman’s car, HB 5983, which was then proceeding in a westerly direction.
Pindar said that after the collision, Kelman was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The prosecution objected to the accused being granted his pre-trial liberty on the grounds that a life had been lost, the offence is prevalent, and there is the likelihood that the accused may not return to court to stand trial.
Jagan’s attorney successfully refuted the grounds advanced by the prosecution for refusing bail. The lawyer argued that none of the grounds stated by the prosecution suggested to the court that his client will not return to stand trial.
The lawyer said that on the night of the incident his client who has been driving for the past 15 years was executing his job as lorry driver for the company with which he works.
He added too that after the incident, his client was instrumental at the scene in assisting in whatever way he could have and has been cooperating with police investigations ever since.
The accused was then placed on bail in the sum of $300,000.
Jagan, a father of four, was ordered to return to court on May 27 for reports.
Reports reaching Stabroek News are that Kelman, 34, formerly of Lot 111 Plantation Belfield, East Coast Demerara, was killed instantly in the collision. The Oasis taxi driver is survived by his 8-year-old daughter, Fiona Kelman, his five brothers and five sisters.
Fiona is now orphaned as a result of this tragedy as Kelman was her only surviving parent. A few years ago her mother was killed during a shootout at the Suarez Bros Circus which had come to Guyana.
