Teenager Gidram Rasiawan, who was behind the wheel of the pick-up truck involved in a fatal head-on collision with a minibus at Mon Repos on Sunday, was yesterday arraigned and granted bail on death by dangerous driving charges.
Rasiawan, 17, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Alex Moore released him on bail.
It is alleged that on Sunday, February 3, Rasiawan drove a Toyota Tundra, GLL 6514, in a manner dangerous to the public, resulting in the deaths of Godfrey Gilbert Daniels, 47, of Berbice and Shondel Alana Yaw, 33, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
He was granted $300,000 bail on each death by dangerous driving charge.
Rasiawan was also charged with breach of insurance, taking a vehicle without the consent of an owner and driving without a licence. He was granted $50,000 bail on each of these charges.
The police had said Rasiawan appeared to have lost control of the vehicle and collided with the minibus, which was travelling in the opposite direction. In addition to the deaths, several other persons sustained severe and minor injuries.
His attorney, Hukumchand told the court that the teen, a student of the School of the Nations, would be sitting an examination within a few weeks and he therefore requested that he be granted his pre-trial liberty. The lawyer also noted that Rasiawan had no previous or pending matters in court and posed no flight risk.
The prosecution, however, objected to bail, while noting the serious penalty that the charges carry if guilt is proven. But Magistrate Moore pointed out that earlier this week police had brought Rasiawan to court to be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, for which the teen was granted $7,500 bail. He then asked the prosecution for the reason why the police filed one charge before the others. The prosecutor was unable to provide an explanation.
The prosecutor subsequently requested that Rasiawan lodge his passport and other travel documents and report to the Brickdam Police Station every Saturday at 9am, which was granted by the magistrate in addition to the defendant’s release on bail.
Rasiawan is due to return to court on April 4.
