Edward Hopkinson was yesterday freed of a death by dangerous driving charge after an ongoing trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Hopkinson along with Police Constable Rodwick McDonald, were jointly charged with causing the death of 75-year-old pedestrian Elaine Harris, of Alberttown.
It was alleged that on August 31, 2011 at Smyth and Princes streets, Georgetown, Hopkinson drove motor pickup number PJJ 3478 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing Harris’s death.
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell upheld no case submissions made by Hopkinson’s attorney, Sandil Kissoon.
The defendant first appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on October 17, 2011 and pleaded not guilty to the charge; he was granted $100,000 bail on that occasion.
In presenting the facts at that time, Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that on the said day, around 4.30pm Hopkinson was driving his motor vehicle along Princes Street while McDonald was driving motor pickup PFF 8888 along Smyth Street when both parties as they approached the intersection of Smyth and Princes streets failed to stop. The vehicles collided and ended up on the eastern side of Smyth Street and as a result motor pickup PJJ 3478 collided with Harris.
Harvey further stated that the woman was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on the same day while receiving treatment.
The case was dismissed because there were no witnesses.
