Matthew Ambedkar, who was driving the vehicle that crashed into a bar at De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Monday night and killed three men, was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Ambedkar, 19, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, WCD, appeared before Magis-trate Zamilla Ali-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
Ambedkar, who was represented by attorney Konyo Sandiford, was not required to plead to the indictable charges. Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned until March 24.
The accident, which occurred around 21.30 hrs, claimed the lives of Carlito Gobin, 23, of De Willem, Kiran Rampersaud, called ‘Rocky,’ 41, a fishermen of Zeeburg, and Ayube Mohammed, 44, of 167 Met-en-Meerzorg, WCD.
At the time, the men were standing in front of the Sharmila Harrykissoon Sports Bar.
Police, in a statement, had said that Ambedkar was proceeding west along the southern side of the road, allegedly in a race with the driver of another car (number unknown) when he lost control of his vehicle.
As a result, he crashed into an SUV, PYY 9456, which was parked on the public road in front of the sports bar, then ran into the bar, injuring several patrons.
Ambedkar suffered injuries to the left side of his face as a result of the impact. He was admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and subsequently discharged. A breathalyzer test performed by the police subsequent to the accident showed zero trace of alcohol in his system.
Two clips of surveillance video seen by this newspaper showed the vehicle proceeding at an extremely fast rate approaching from the west and crashing into the bar. Immediately after, a black car flew past the scene at high speed.
Co-proprietor of the bar, Murti Ramtoolise, told Stabroek News that moments before the accident he was standing outside of the bar with the dead men but he left and went inside.
“I was standing with them outside and I ordered a hot dog from a man selling in front here. The two fishermen just bought a beer and came outside and were drinking it. After the man went and get sausage, I come inside to get money to pay him and while I inside the bar, I just see this car come straight into the shop,” the man recalled.
He stated that a few seconds later he observed that persons were on the ground and rushed to their assistance. “I had to come and help take out the men. Two of them were between the wall and the side of the car and the other was between all this mess [pointing to the crash scene],” he stated.
The business’ proprietors lamented that the crash will severely impact their business. Apart from the bar, they also operate a snackette during the day.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said that the recent spate of road fatalities calls for renewed interventions, such as heightened enforcement and increasing fines and sanctions.
“The recent accidents and continued reckless road use by identifiable sections of road users make the case for heightened enforcement, increasing fines and sanctions and renewed interventions for public awareness in respect of road safety and traffic management,” he said.
Benn pointed out that speeding, driving under the influence and driving without due care and attention have been identified as the main causes of the recent accidents.
