Akeem Bristol, 29, of Lot 3 Old Road Craig, East Bank Demerara, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
It was alleged that on June 6 on the McDoom Public Road, he rode motorcycle, CL 9030, at a fast rate causing the death of Muniasar Sewcharan.
Bristol was not required to plead to the indictable offence. The prosecutor did not object to bail, but asked that it be granted in a substantial amount and with conditions attached.
The court heard that on the day in question, Bristol was proceeding north along McDoom Public Road at a fast rate. As he approached the pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the Thousand Dollar Store, the now-deceased Sewcharan was standing awaiting the traffic to stop. Two vehicles stopped to allow Sewcharan to cross, but the motorcyclist failed to stop at the pedestrian crossing and collided with Sewcharan as he attempted to cross.
As a result of the collision, Sewcharan was flung some distance away from the initial point of impact, causing him to suffer multiple injuries. An ambulance was summoned and he was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
In his application for bail, Bristol’s lawyer told the magistrate that his client was not a flight risk and had cooperated with police. He also assured the magistrate that if given bail, his client would comply with any conditions attached.
As such the magistrate initially granted bail in the sum of $350,000 but upon the request of Bristol’s lawyer, who informed that his client was in another court prior to appearing before her where he was required to pay a fine, bail was reduced to $250,000 with the condition that the defendant reports once a month to the Ruimveldt Police Station, and lodges his passport with the court.
The matter was adjourned to July 19 for disclosure.
Tessa Munisar, Sewcharan’s daughter-in-law, told Stabroek News in a previous report that he was returning home from the post office at the time of his demise. Tessa recounted that her husband transported Sewcharran to uplift his pension and was supposed to return for him and they were awaiting a phone call. According to Tessa, they later received a call about the accident and upon arrival an eyewitness explained what happened.
“When we got there, the people told us that he was crossing the road after the vehicles stopped for him and the bike guy just keep going and never stop and hit him. I heard that he was coming with a speed. He didn’t deserve to die like that. We know that bike man is in police custody, but we are demanding justice”, she said.
