The driver accused of causing the death of hotel employee Lovina Williams was sentenced to five years in jail at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s court on Wednesday in his absence.
Hafraz Mangroo, 25, of Lot 176 Sparendaam Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, had been accused of driving a Jeep with licence plate number GMM 4626, in a manner dangerous to the public on February 5, at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, causing the death of Williams. He had maintained his innocence.
Sometime after the trial commenced, Prosecutor John Singh told Stabroek News that the defendant had stopped attending court and subsequently, his attorney at the time, Pamela De Santos, made it known to the court that she would no longer be representing Mangroo.
The case continued ex-parte and Mangroo was found guilty of the charge and sentenced to five years in jail by Magistrate Alex Moore.
It was the prosecution’s case that on the day in question, Williams was awaiting transportation at Liliendaal, when she was struck by Mangroo’s vehicle.
Williams landed 50 feet away from the impact. She was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival and the defendant was slapped with the dangerous driving charge.
During the trial, the court heard that Mangroo was under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle collided with Williams.
Furthermore, Mangroo had said in his statement that the accident occurred, after his tyre blew out and he lost control of the vehicle on the wet road. Despite attempts to steer away from Williams, the collision happened, he had stated.
Relatives had told Stabroek News that Williams, 37, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, had worked at the City Holiday Inn.
