The man accused of causing the death of Alwyn Carlos Thomas as a result of dangerous driving was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $400,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The allegation against 21-year-old Nicholas Samaroo is that on July 22 at Camp and Lamaha streets, he drove motor car PPP 3163 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Thomas.
The tour-guide operator who resides at 446 Industry Front, East Coast Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecution’s facts are that on the day in question at about 17 hours, the defendant was proceeding north along Camp Street when he collided with Thomas who was riding motorcycle CG 3606.
Police Constable Simone Payne who presented the prosecution’s case said that the accused failed to stop at the intersection of Camp and Lamaha streets which resulted in him colliding with Thomas.
The court was further told that the injured Thomas was rushed to the hospital but died that said day while receiving medical attention.
Attorney Euclin Gomes who represented Samaroo disputed the prosecution’s case.
According to him, Thomas was speeding.
He said that his client had stopped at the intersection as he “had the flashing amber light.”
Counsel advanced that as his client was proceeding, it was Thomas who ran into the side of his car because of the speed at which he was travelling, resulting in the collision.
Gomes in a bail application for his client said that he had no conviction, poses no risk of flight and has been co-operating with police investigations.
The prosecution, however, objected to the defendant being placed on bail, stating that the offence is serious and prevalent. It added too that “a life was lost.”
The court overruled the prosecution’s request but informed counsel that his client would be granted his pretrial liberty on the condition that he lodges his passport with the police.
The matter will be called again on September 12.
Twenty-year old Thomas was the father of an 18-month old boy of Rabbit Walk, Eve Leary and was an employee of the Pegasus Hotel.
Akeem Nelson, 23, of Waterloo Street was the pillion rider on the bike and sustained a broken right leg and other injuries about his body.
He was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) in a stable condition.
Thomas’ father, Police Super-intendent Edgar Thomas told this newspaper that his son had called him minutes earlier and informed him that he was heading to a social event in the city. He said soon after he received the grim news of his son’s passing.
The mother of Thomas’ child had to be taken to the GPH after she collapsed upon receiving news of the man’s passing.
