A teenager was charged yesterday with causing the death by dangerous driving of two friends in the wee hours of Valentine’s Day.
Rayon Alves of Lot 1 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was yesterday charged with causing the deaths of Dakera Gritten of Lot 2104 Nutmeg Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, George-town, and Tonika Halley of Lot 1 Phase Two, East La Penitence Housing Scheme, Georgetown. Senior Magistrate Leron Daly read the two charges at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
The first charge states that on February 14, at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, he drove motorcar PVV 1289, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Halley.
The second charge states that on the same day and at the same location, he drove motorcar PVV 1289, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Gritten.
Alves pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was represented by attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, who asked that his client be released on reasonable bail. Todd told the court that the 19-year-old will abide with any conditions the court may apply to the bail.
However, the police prosecutor told the court that Alves escaped and left his friends after the accident. He added that Alves rushed home, where the police later arrested him.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Daly granted Alves $300,000 bail on each charge, with the condition that he lodge his driver’s licence and passport with the court. He must also report to the East La Penitence Police Station every Monday at 9am. The matter will be called again on March 15.
According to a police report, enquiries revealed that on February 14 at about 12.30 am the car was proceeding on Homestretch Avenue at a fast rate when Alves lost control of it and collided with a utility pole. The car toppled several times before coming to a stop in a nearby trench.
The other occupants who were involved in the accident are Delvern Luthers of Wortman-ville, Georgetown; 22-year-old Joel Rose of D’Urban Street, Georgetown; and Troy Glen of Laing Avenue, Georgetown; and the driver of the car PVV 1289, Alves.
This newspaper was able to speak with the relatives of the deceased who informed that the group are friends and they all left to attend a barbecue. It was reported that Halley succumbed to her injuries about six hours after the accident while receiving medical attention at the George-town Public Hospital. She is survived by a one-year-old daughter. Gritten, however, died at the scene.
The injured passengers were also taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
