The trial of a Linden driver charged with causing the death of traffic officer Nakosi ‘Kelvin’ La Fleur, who succumbed to his injuries after he was struck down whilst on duty, commenced yesterday with testimony from an officer who was involved in the investigation.
Ron Cole, 40, of Lot 15 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly accused of driving vehicle GRR 3955 on April 11, in a manner dangerous to the public.
Traffic officer Corporal Ronald Payne testified that he had taken an oral statement from the accused. Payne said the accused told him that he was proceeding along the public road at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, when he saw a police officer fully dressed in uniform walk from east to west on the road and into his path.
Upon seeing the officer, Cole reportedly told Payne that he applied brakes but in spite of his efforts, the left side of the vehicle collided with the left side of La Fleur.
Payne further testified that the driver and public-spirited citizens took swift action and transported an unconscious La Fleur to the hospital.
He also gave an account of what he had personally witnessed on the scene of the accident. Payne told the court that he took road and vehicular measurements and documented everything.
The officer further recalled that a few days later, when La Fleur had regained consciousness, he took him and the accused back to where the accident occurred and they both told their sides of the story. La Fleur died the next day.
After Payne’s testimony, the matter was adjourned to August 15 for the tendering of the accident booklet and La Fleur’s post-mortem examination report.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kevin London, asked the magistrate to “bound over” Payne for further testimony on the adjournment date.
