Ever since she was struck by a speeding unlicensed motorcyclist in April, five-year-old Afya Harte remains confined to a wheelchair and is scheduled to undergo more corrective surgery.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday Cheneze Harte, mother of the injured child, said the motorcyclist was released on bail after Afya was discharged from the hospital.
Afya spent about three weeks in the hospital after the incident and has had two surgeries so far, while another surgery is still required, although a date is not yet fixed to facilitate that.
Harte said that it has been distressing to look at her daughter’s condition, knowing that she has been absent from school for such a long time, while the motorcyclist Damion Robinson roams the streets.
The situation has also been taking a financial toll on the single mother who is currently unemployed.
Robinson who fled the scene after hitting the child, managed to elude arrest a few times but he was subsequently apprehended after he was persuaded by his mother to offer a settlement to Harte.
His mother had showed up at Harte’s and attempted to offer a settlement but the distressed family refused to accept a settlement without Robinson’s presence.
After the 28-year-old finally showed up, an argument ensued and Robinson was subsequently shackled by residents before he was taken into police custody.
Robinson of Lot 226 South Turkeyen was slapped with four charges and he pleaded guilty to three of them when he appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on April 28.
He was fined a total of $70,000 after admitting to riding without a licence, riding without insurance and failing to render assistance.
He, however, denied a dangerous driving charge.
According to Harte, a trial for the charge he denied is yet to commence, as the matter was adjourned to a date in October for report.
