A court clerk was yesterday charged with causing the death of Bourda Market butcher Bhagwandat Roopchand while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Lumeshnauth Roopchand, of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, the driver of motor car PTT 8019 and a relative of the deceased, yesterday pleaded not guilty to two charges, after which he was granted his release on bail totaling $520,000.
The first charge stated that Lumeshnauth on February 25, at Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara, drove his vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Bhagwandat.
The second charge stated that he was driving under the influence on the said date, when his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed amount.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert, who set bail for the causing death charge at $500,000 and bail for the driving under the influence charge at $20,000.
The accused is expected to make his second appearance at the Vreed-en- Hoop Magistrate’s Court on March 29.
Bhagwandat, also known as ‘Preacher,’ 60, of 13 Bella Dam, West Bank Demerara, and a butcher of Robin’s Butchery, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night at the West Demerara Regional Hospital after he was allegedly hit by Lumeshnauth.
According to a statement by the Guyana Police Force on the accident, which occurred around 7 pm on Saturday, the driver of motor car PTT 8019 was proceeding north along the western side of the Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara, when the vehicle hit Bhagwandat, who was crossing at the time.
