Laurent McGarrell, the Golden Grove man charged with causing the death of his common-law wife, who died after they fell from a motorbike along the East Bank of Demerara public road, was yesterday fined a total of $75,000 after he pleaded guilty to four traffic offences.
McGarrell, 24, a forklift operator, was first charged last month with riding motorcycle CJ 1957, on July 23, 2017, at Providence, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Gaitri Sahadeo. He was also read several other traffic charges by Magistrate Sunil Scarce and he had pleaded guilty.
However, McGarrell opted to change his plea to guilty to four of the charges yesterday, when he reappeared before Magistrate Scarce in Georgetown.
He admitted that that he rode motorcycle CJ 1957 without a helmet for himself or Sahadeo. He was subsequently fined $7,500 for each of the two offences or a default sentence of a week in jail.
McGarrell also pleaded guilty to riding without third party insurance and riding without a licence. He was later fined $30,000 for each offence or a default sentence of six weeks in prison.
Magistrate Scarce also disqualified McGarrell from obtaining a driver’s licence for any class of vehicle for a period of 12 months.
Meanwhile, McGarrell is expected to return to court today to uplift statements for the remaining traffic charges, which are allegedly riding with his alcohol level over the legal limit, and riding without the consent of the owner of the vehicle.
The accident occurred around 12.30 am along the eastern carriageway of the Providence Public Road, where the motorcycle suffered a blowout.
Sahadeo, who was the pillion rider and who was not wearing a helmet, reportedly sustained injuries to the head. She was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she succumbed.
