Former government minister Dr George Norton is expected to appear before a court next week to face a driving under the influence charge after he crashed into a parked Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehicle.
The accident occurred on Thursday at about 7.56pm at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, in the vicinity of Two Brothers Gas Station.
Acting Commander of Region Four (b) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine told Stabroek News that at the time of the accident Norton alleged that he pulled in the corner to “relieve himself” when he hit the rear end of the ministry vehicle, which is used to transport Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud.
At the time of the accident, Persaud was not present in the vehicle and there were no reports of injuries to anyone.
While the accident is considered damage of property and Norton has agreed to fix the damage done to the ministry vehicle, a breathalyser test conducted on Norton found between 123 and 126 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath, hence the expected charge.
Norton, a leading member of the People’s National Congress Reform party, served under the former APNU+AFC coalition government as Minister of Health and Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport.
