The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guardsman who allegedly struck and killed a man on Sunday evening, is now being kept in the custody of the army as the police await legal advice on charging him.
Commander of ‘D’ Division Rishi Dass yesterday told Stabroek News that the case file has since been sent by police for legal advice, which will determine the way forward.
Dass added that Coast Guardsman Eson Trim, 28, a resident of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was handed over to the GDF.
Trim, according to the police, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, which claimed the life of Roopchand Ramkellawan. A breathalyser test, the police had said, confirmed that his breath alcohol level was above the legal limit.
The accident occurred around 10.20pm on Monday along the De Willem Public Road.
After he was hit, Ramkellawan, 35, of Lot 4150 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was rushed in an unconscious state to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Guyana Police Force, in a statement, had said that its investigations revealed that Ramkellawan was crossing the road when the accident took place. “The victim was crossing the road from south to north when he was struck down by motor vehicle PWW 5680, which was proceeding east along the northern carriageway,” the statement had said.
An unlicensed pistol with four live rounds was also found in the possession of the deceased, the police added.
An autopsy performed on Ramkellawan’s remains revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries to the body he sustained in the accident.
Ramkellawan was the brother of popular Chutney singer Mahendra Ramkellawan.
