The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday advised the police to charge attorney Keisha Chase with causing death by dangerous driving.
The DPP’s Chambers confirmed that the advice was given and that the file was dispatched to the police earlier in the day.
This development comes almost four months after Chase is alleged to have fatally struck Julian Leitch on Duncan Street, Georgetown. Leitch died at the Georgetown Hospital on November 6, 2015, shortly after he was hit by a car driven by the attorney near the Survival Supermarket at Vlissengen Road and Duncan Street.
Police had completed their investigation and sent a file to the DPP on December 23 last year. It was returned to the police on January 2 with advice that further investigations be conducted. The Chambers said yesterday that the file was returned last Friday. Moments before the accident, Leitch had exited the Popeyes fast food outlet. He had left his Lot ‘C’ Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park residence and was headed to see the annual Diwali Motorcade but apparently decided to make a stop for food.
According to a statement issued by the police, “Enquiries disclosed from the driver of the car… that she was proceeding east at a normal rate of speed when she suddenly saw the pedestrian on the centre of the road in front of her vehicle but because of the closeness, he was struck down. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died at 20:45 hrs whilst receiving treatment.”
Stabroek News was told that Leitch’s injuries included a fractured skull and a broken neck.
After the accident, Chase had rushed the badly wounded man to the Georgetown Hospital but he died soon after while receiving treatment. The police at the hospital were told that at the time of the accident Leitch was wearing head phones and that the area was dark. The accident occurred sometime after 6 pm.
