Photographer Delano Williams, who is accused of causing the death of Sewcharran Persaud Ugraj while allegedly driving under the influence, was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $350,000 by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Williams, 28, of Lot 10 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The charge states that on June 26, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle PMM 1094 in manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Ugraj.
Meanwhile, Williams denied the other charge which said that he drove while his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit.
In presenting the facts of the case, Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunt told the court that on the day in question at about 4:30am, Williams was driving west along Sheriff Street when he collided with Ugraj, who was standing on the eastern carriageway. Hunt said that after the accident, a breathalyser test was done on the accused and his blood alcohol level was found to be above the legal limit. He was subsequently arrested and charged with the offences.
The prosecution objected to the accused being granted his pre-trial liberty, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offences. Hunt contended also that if admitted to bail, there is a likelihood Williams will not return to stand trial.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, who represented Williams, however argued that if his client wanted to flee he would have done so instead of reporting the accident to the police and assisting with investigations. When asked by the magistrate if the accused reported the matter to the police, Hunt responded in the affirmative.
Hughes contended also that while the accident was tragic in that a life was lost, the charge of causing death by dangerous driving is a bailable one and as such his client should be granted his pre-trial liberty. Hughes argued that the prosecution advanced no adequate reasons as to why his client shouldn’t be admitted to bail.
In an application for Williams to be admitted to reasonable bail, counsel said that his client has no antecedents, poses no risk of flight, has a fixed place of abode and has been cooperating with police investigations.
Hunt later requested that if bail is granted to the accused, it should be on the condition that he reports to the Kitty Police Station twice weekly.
Williams was later informed that he would be granted his pre-trial liberty on condition that he lodges his passport with the police for safekeeping and reports to Lance Corporal Bourne or the subordinate officer at the Kitty Police Station on Monday and Fridays at 8:30am.
The accused was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 for the indictable offence and $50,000 for the other.
The matter will be called again on July 20.
Police, in a statement, has said that Ugraj, a 34-year-old husband and father of two, died after motor vehicle PMM 1094 which was reportedly going at a fast rate barrelled across the road, hitting him some 30 feet away.
Ugraj worked as a hauler truck drover in the interior.
