A taxi driver was yesterday arraigned on charges of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to report the accident after the victim succumbed to injuries two days ago.
John Zephyr, of 68 Brutus and Remus streets, Agricola, was charged with causing the death of 63-year-old Rudival Azore. It is alleged that Zephyr, on February 13th, at Brutus Street, Agricola, drove motor car HC 4627 in a dangerous manner, thereby causing the man’s death.
The second charge against Zephyr states that while being the driver of motor car HC 4627 when damage and injuries were caused to a pedal cyclist, he failed to report the accident to a police station or to a police constable within 24 hours of its occurrence.
Zephyr’s attorney told the court that his client had been reversing when the vehicle came into contact with the cyclist, who appeared to be on the wrong side of the road.
He related that the accused rendered assistance and took the injured man to the hospital. He added that Zephyr spent approximately $165,000 in contributions for Azore’s treatment at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
The lawyer further stated that the accused had been in constant contact with Azore and his family prior to the man’s death. He asked that bail be granted to his client, while noting that he is not a flight risk. This application was not countered by prosecutor Deniro Jones, though he did request that bail be granted in a substantial amount.
Zephyr was granted bail in the sum of $250,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on the condition that he lodge his passport with the court until the conclusion of trial. The matter has been adjourned to March 21st.
This publication had previously reported that Azore, known as “Tall Boy,” was struck down around 7.30 am on February 13th at Agricola, after which he was admitted at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital in a critical condition. However, last Thursday afternoon he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he took his last breath.
There has been some amount of controversy surrounding the accident since reports reaching the family members of the deceased indicated that a woman was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. It was, however, the owner of the vehicle, a male, who admitted to being behind the wheel on the day in question.
