The taxi driver implicated in an accident that has left a mother and her teenage son in critical condition has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to render assistance, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The charges were read to Totaram Ramroop, of Number Seven Village, East Coast Berbice, who appeared yesterday before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered to post bail of $50,000 in total. He, however, is due back before the court today, when an update will be given on the medical status of the injured persons.
Police Sergeant Phillip Sheriff told the court that Ramroop drove HB 6144 under the influence of alcohol on Sunday along the Sea Well Public Road and injured Latchmi Armogan Darmdingum.
Further, Sheriff said although Ramroop was involved in an accident where injuries were caused, he failed to take the injured persons to a registered medical practitioner for treatment.
Charges in relation to the injuries caused to the woman’s son, Joshua Ramlakhan, 16, who is hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital, are expected to be instituted today against Ramroop following a medical update.
Both Darmdingum, 45, who is in the Intensive Care Unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital, and Ramlakhan, remain in critical condition.
An eyewitness said she saw Ramroop’s white car travelling at a fast rate as it approached the Palmyra gas station from the inner branch road. At the same time, the witness observed Darmdingum and her son approaching.
The witness said they were hit by the vehicle, which immediately made a u-turn and drove back in the direction from whence it came.
