A truck driver was yesterday charged with causing the death of the security guard, whom he struck down on Wednesday morning along the Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD) public road.
Dwayne Gaime stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read a charge which stated that on October 18, at the Land of Canaan, he drove motor lorry GRR 1769 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Joseph Harmon.
In tears, Gaime, 41 of Tuschen, pleaded guilty to the charge, while telling the court that he knew he was wrong.
However, his plea was changed to not guilty based on the account of the accident that was presented to the court by police prosecutor Arvin Moore.
Moore told the court that on the day in question, at about 6.37 am, Gaime was proceeding north along the western side of the Land of Canaan Public Road at a fast rate. He said Gaime had applied breaks but his vehicle failed to stop, resulting in him hitting Harmon. The assertion that Gaime applied brakes resulted in a not guilty plea being recorded for him.
The prosecutor went on to object to bail being granted, while citing the prevalence and nature of the offence. Moore then requested that Gaime’s licence be suspended until the completion of the trial.
Chief Magistrate McLennan, however, granted the accused $250,000 bail and ordered that he report to the Madewini Police Outpost every Friday until the completion of the trial.
The matter was then adjourned until November 6.
Stabroek News previously reported that Harmon, 53, of Supply Public Road, EBD, was a passenger of minibus, which stopped to pick up a passenger. Harmon disembarked to allow the incoming passenger to enter. While standing on the parapet of the road, he was struck down.
