The truck driver accused of causing the death of Police Constable 22349 Edson Williams by dangerous driving yesterday appeared in a city court and was remanded to prison.
David Persaud pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 2.
It is alleged that on July 6 at Providence Plantation Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Persaud of Lots 94-97 First Hill, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, drove motor lorry GLL 8197 in a dangerous manner, thereby causing the death of Constable Williams.
The 25-year-old was represented by attorney Glen Hanoman who made an application for bail to be granted. Hanoman explained to the court that the location where Persaud resides houses his family business involving a trucking service which deals with the transportation of sand throughout the country. He said the offence with which his client has been charged is a bailable one and he would be surprised if the prosecution objected to bail although he was quite aware that it was a police rank who was involved in the accident. Hanoman told the court that the family of the defendant is well known to him and he would ensure that if granted bail Persaud would return for his trial. He described the incident as a freak accident.
But Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail based on the nature, gravity and the penalty it attracts. According to Jones, the accident was not a “freak” one as described by the defence attorney but rather it involved a young police officer who was on duty making preparation for an