Roderick Tappin, the driver who allegedly struck down and killed 12-year-old Winston ‘Junior’ Cameron last Friday, was yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and released on $300,000 bail.
Tappin, 35, of Lot 89 Sparendaam, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, who is said to have been a driver for the last 12 years, pleaded not guilty, after the charge was made summary.
Tappin appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Prosecutor Winneth Hubbard said that Tappin was driving at a fast pace when he hit Cameron at the junction of Camp and D’Urban streets. He is then said to have picked up the unconscious boy and rushed him to the hospital, where he pronounced dead on arrival.
Cameron and his older brother were on bicycles heading to their father’s workplace at Anira Street, some time after 4 pm when the accident occurred. The child was pitched to the ground and lay helplessly on the road, while his mangled bicycle landed a short distance away.
Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat, who represented the accused, said that his client was deeply sorry for what happened, while adding that at the time accident Tappin was swerving from a car.
Hubbard had no objections to bail but notified the magistrate that Tappin was also charged with being unlicensed to drive a lorry and for a breach of insurance, and admitted to both offences.
Bail was then set in the sum of $300,000, with the condition that Tappin lodge his passport and report to the police every Friday at 9 am. He will make his next court appearance on November 5 for statements.
