A truck driver was found guilty on Monday of four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to five years in prison. Ritesh Bhagwandin, 20, of Lot 12 Hope, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Providence Magistrate’s Court where he was found guilty on four counts of causing death by dangerous driving after the conclusion of a trial. While Bhagwandin was sentenced to five years on each count, he will only serve five years as the sentences will run concurrently.
Upon being sentenced, Bhagwandin’s attorney Bernard De Santos SC made a request for bail after he stated his intention of appealing the matter. His request was subsequently denied by Magistrate Daly.
Stabroek News had reported that on October 18, 2013, Bhagwandin was driving a truck, GPP 8495, along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, which was loaded with sand. He had allegedly attempted to pass another truck that was parked on the roadway when he subsequently collided with a minibus, BPP 3521, that was going in the opposite direction. The bus driver Felix Marc, 42, of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, Delroy Evans, Loretta Evans, and Pulmattie Samaroo were killed and six other passengers were injured during the smash-up.
Bhagwandin was initially charged before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on October 24, 2013. He was granted bail and the matter was subsequently transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where a trial was held over the last two years.
