Darshan Babulall, the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed 11-year-old Simon Kendall at Number 46 Village, Corentyne on Thursday afternoon, was yesterday charged with causing his death and remanded to prison.
The Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, which was presided over by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga, also heard that Babulall, also known as ‘Videsh,’ 22, had been driving although his driver’s licence had been suspended after he was convicted in May for causing the death of a teenager through dangerous driving.
On Thursday afternoon, around 5pm, he drove PVV 7617, which struck and killed Kendall, of Number 46 Village.
Babulall, also of the Number 46 Village, was charged with causing of death of Kendall by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to render assistance and driving while disqualified.
He was remanded to prison until December 28th.
During the hearing, the prosecutor informed the court that in August of 2014, Babulall was charged with causing of death of a teenager at Alness Village, Corentyne. He was convicted in May this year and was sentenced to one year in jail and his driver’s licence was suspended for two years. However, Babulall’s attorney appealed the decision and he was released on bail by the High Court, pending the determination of the matter.
Kendall and his older brother were walking along the road, headed to their garden, when Babulall allegedly lost control of his car and slammed into the younger boy, pitching him almost three house lots away. The first form Tagore Memorial Secondary School student was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An eyewitness had told Stabroek News that Babulall fled the scene. According to the witness, the driver drove off and shortly after three relatives returned and moved the car. One of Babulall’s relatives was taken into custody on Thursday night to aid with the investigation, while he was only arrested until the wee hours of yesterday morning. According to a police source, the driver was taken to the scene of the accident yesterday morning and he alleged that the boy ran in front of his car. However, the source relayed that an eyewitness denied the allegation.
