Kevin Farrell, the driver of the minibus that crashed along the Herstelling Public Road on Tuesday, was yesterday charged with causing the death of his conductor, just one day after the man succumbed to his injuries.
Farrell was yesterday granted his release on $1.5 million bail after he denied the charge of causing the death of Leonard Henry by dangerous driving.
The courtroom of city magistrate Judy Latchman heard that on October 11, on the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Farrell, 30, of Lot 20 Supply, East Bank Demerara, drove minibus BVV901 in the manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Henry. Farrell pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Attorney Stanley Moore, who appeared on behalf of Farrell, made a bail application and told the court that his client was not a flight risk, he would not interfere with police investigations and would appear for his trial dates.
Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt told the court that he had no objections to Farrell receiving bail.
Magistrate Latchman subsequently set bail at $1,500,000 and ordered him to return to court on November 1, when the matter would be called before the Chief Magistrate’s court for statements and assignment.
Henry, 41, of Land of Canaan, was one of three persons who had been hospitalised after the accident, which occurred after the driver reportedly lost control of the minibus they were travelling in. Jessica Saywanauth, 16, and Jing Hing Su, 52, were the others who were hospitalised.
Passengers from the bus had told Stabroek News that the bus was negotiating a turn when they felt it “wobbling” and as the driver tried to apply brakes the vehicle kept sliding since the road was wet. As a result, they said the bus slammed into a utility pole and landed on the conductor’s side. Henry had also owned the bus.
