A minibus driver was charged yesterday with killing an elderly Bagotville cyclist through dangerous driving.
Paran Persaud, 34, of Lot 31 Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, was released on $200,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The charge read by Magistrate Faith McGusty stated that on May 24, Persaud drove minibus BKK 1948 in a dangerous manner, causing the death of Ellen Margaret Jones.
He was not required to plead to the charge.
The police’s case is that on May 24, Persaud was driving his minibus proceeding in the north-western direction along the Houston Public Road, while the now deceased, a pedal cyclist, was riding in front of the minibus on the left side of the road.
The bus subsequently came into contact with her, causing her to fall off her cycle and the driver drove over her.
She was then picked up by Persaud and taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Despite her age, Jones, 77, normally rode from her home to work in the city, where she operated a drink stand at the corner of Regent and Wellington streets.
Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who represented Persaud, said that his client is a married father of three, who provides for his family through driving a minibus.
Gilhuys said that Persaud was previously placed on $100,000 bail at the Ruimveldt Police Station and then he was suddenly told to appear at court on August 29. Emphasising that his client is not a flight risk, he asked for reasonable bail.
Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail based on the nature of the offence.
However, the Magistrate opted to initially grant bail in the sum of $250,000.
However, Gilhuys asked for bail to be reduced and argued that he does not understand why his client would be given $50,000 more for a matter similar to one where the defendant was earlier this week released on $200,000 bail. As a result, bail was subsequently reduced to $200,000.
The case was adjourned to September 5.
