David Persaud, the truck driver accused of causing the death of Police Constable Edson Williams by dangerous driving, was yesterday found not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan handed down the verdict at the conclusion of Persaud’s trial in a Georgetown court.
Persaud, of Lots 94-97 First Hill, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, had pleaded not guilty to the charge that on July 6, at Providence Plantation Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove motor lorry GLL 8197 in a dangerous manner, thereby causing the death of Williams.
At the time of the accident, Williams was said to have been placing barricades along the road for the ‘Soca on the Beach’ show at HJ Water World, located at Providence.
In delivering her verdict, the magistrate said that while the court had no doubt that the truck drove over the Police Constable, which resulted in his death, there was no evidence from the prosecution that Persaud drove his truck in a manner that was dangerous. Further, she said the prosecution had provided the court with credible witnesses who observed that Persaud was not driving at a fast rate at the time of the accident.
The prosecution led its evidence by calling a number of witnesses who were in close proximity to the accident when it occurred, including another police constable who was present at the time.
When Persaud was called upon to testify, he had told the court that on the tragic day he was proceeding along the Providence access road with caution, at about 10mph.
He said he heard a funny sound that came from the truck, and after hearing the sound as if two pieces of metals had collided, he stopped his vehicle and disembarked to go check and that was when he made the discovery of the officer lying motionless under the truck.
