Navin Rampersaud, the alleged drunk driver who struck down and killed Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Marvin Dodson earlier this month at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, WBD was on Wednesday granted a total of $500,000 bail after being charged with four traffic-related offences.
Rampersaud, a resident of Schoonard, West Coast Demerara is accused of driving minibus, BTT 8922, in manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Dodson on December 10. He was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to render assistance and failing to stop after the accident.
Rampersaud denied all the charges when he appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
The case was adjourned until January 8.
Dodson, 29, a resident of Cross Street, Alexander Village died two Sundays ago, hours after he was struck down in front of a popular night club at Pouderoyen, WBD.
The police had said that the accident occurred around 3am, while Dodson was standing on the eastern side of the Pouderoyen public road.
Initial investigations, the police had said revealed that the minibus was proceeding south along the eastern side of the public road while Dodson, along with his friends, were standing on the same side of the road in front of the night club.
The bus subsequently collided with Dodson, pitching his body several feet across the road.
He was picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). However, after his condition worsened, Dodson was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention.
An autopsy revealed that Dodson died as a result of multiple injuries sustained.
“I was in me house early the morning cause I de just wake up and I just hear a loud knock that go ‘brap’ and I hear people screaming and when I peep out I see somebody [lying] on the road and nuff people. Them man does drive crazy on this road but them people that does deh liming by that club does deh all over and sometimes on the road,” one eyewitness had told Stabroek News.
The man had explained that whenever the club has events, large parts of the road would be filled with people, hindering the free flow of traffic.
Rampersaud, the police had said was arrested after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of persons. He also had to seek medical attention at the WDRH.
He was then given a breathalyzer test and was found to be above the legal limit.
