Twenty-eight-year-old Denzel Webb appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Webb was placed on $500,000 bail.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, November 19, at Sheriff and Duncan streets, Campbellville, Georgetown, he drove a lorry in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Carlton Smartt.
Webb was represented by attorney-at-law, George Thomas, who told the court that his client had attempted to apply brakes when he noticed Smartt, however the prosecutor interjected, stating that it was clear that Webb was going at a fast rate and that there is significant signage on the roadway that would indicate the need to stop or slow down within the area. Further, it was also clear that the defendant failed to exercise care and caution in his use of the roadway.
As a result, the magistrate granted bail in the sum of $500,000 with the condition that Webb lodges his travel documents and reports to the police station daily.
The matter was adjourned to December 13.
Smartt, an electrician, was crushed to death on Sheriff Street after two speeding trucks came into contact with each other.
When Stabroek News visited the scene of the accident, several witnesses reported that the accident involved two sand trucks. One truck – GAH 5183, was crossing Sheriff Street at Dennis Street and struck the other truck – GAH 8008, which was travelling north on Sheriff Street.
The impact was catastrophic, causing one truck to crash into a building (the Green House apartment complex) housing approximately 15 to 20 Venezuelan nationals. No one from the apartment complex was injured. However, it was reported that a food van which was parked at the front of the building was crushed.
Meanwhile the other truck veered off towards a nearby canal, damaging a GWI pipeline in the process. Some eight other vehicles in the vicinity also sustained damage.
