The Guyana Police Force has received legal advice to charge the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard officer who struck and killed a man on Sunday night along the De Willem Public Road, on the West Coast of Demerara.
Commander of ‘D’ Division Rishi Das yesterday told Stabroek News that investigators have received advice to institute charges against the officer, Eson Trim, 28, a resident of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Trim is expected to be charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol next Tuesday at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
Legal advice was sought from the police legal advisor.
Das yesterday explained that they will have to wait until Tuesday since that is the next day that the divisional court will sit.
Trim is currently in the GDF’s custody pending his arraignment.
Police had reported that Trim 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.
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.
In a statement, police 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,” it said.
