A minibus driver and another man were yesterday remanded to prison after they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer causing death by dangerous driving charges.
Nandiswar Persaud, 19, of Lot 37 Owen Street, Kitty, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read by Magistrate Ann McLennan. It was alleged that on September 17 he drove motor car PNN 4475 in a dangerous manner causing the death of Gavin De Ally.
It was also alleged that on the same day Cordel Bourne, 33, of Lot 1243 ‘E’ Field Sophia, drove minibus BPP 9210 in a dangerous manner also causing De Ally’s death. He too was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
Attorney Stephen Lewis who represented Persaud said that his client was previously placed on $100,000 station bail. He told the court that on the day of the accident the driver of the minibus was speeding when he collided with his client’s car. He added that Persaud has since been very cooperative with the police.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail being granted to Persaud because of the nature of the offence and that fact that a life was lost. He said that Persaud was driving at a fast rate and did not stop at the traffic light intersection which led to the collision with the minibus.
He added that as a result of the collision De Ally, a minibus conductor, fell out of the minibus and was crushed to death. He also said that Persaud fled the scene after the accident occurred and he did not show any remorse for what had happened.
In relation to Bourne, Jones also objected to bail and informed the court that the minibus Bourne was driving was overloaded and he too was also speeding and failed to stop at the intersection. Jones said the conductor of the bus was not properly seated because of the number of passengers that occupied the minibus. He felt that it was Bourne’s negligence that led to De Ally falling out of the minibus.
Other passengers received serious injuries as a result of the accident, Jones said. He recommended that both of the defendants’ drivers’ licences be suspended.
Lewis rebutted the assertion that his client fled the scene after the accident. He said his client was taken to the hospital like everyone else after the accident took place.
He added that Persaud then went to the police station on his own after he left the hospital and firmly stated that Persaud made regular checks at the Brickdam Police Station after the accident.
After listening to both sides, Magistrate McLennan suspended both drivers’ licences and they were remanded until October 7 when the matter will be called again.
