GWI driver bailed for causing death, related charges

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

A driver employed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was Thursday placed on GUY$2 million bail after he pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and several other charges.

Shawn Ravindra Ramai of 15 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown denied that on February 26, 2014 he drove motor pick up PRR 292 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Claude McPherson

He also pleaded not guilty to, having been involved in an accident, failed to rendered assistance to take the injured person to a medical practitioner; failing to stop the said vehicle after the accident, and failing to report the said accident within 24 hrs of its occurrence. City Magistrate, Judy Latchman also granted Ramai GUY$30,000 bail each of those charges.

The prosecution did not object to bail.

He was told to return to court on March 27.  Until then, he is required to lodge his passport and  report to East La Penitence Police Station every Friday.

Defence Lawyer, Mortimer Coddette justified Ramai’s decision not to report the accident on grounds that when he exited the vehicle to see what had transpired a large crowd swarmed him. Fearing for his life, he fled the scene on Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of Trench Road and parked the vehicle at GWI.

Coddette said that after the accident was publicised, Ramai sought legal advice and surrendered to police after taking a medical examination to confirm that nothing was wrong with him. He recalled that when the driver was taken by police to the accident scene, another crowd had converged around him resulting in the deployment of two vehicles of policemen.

The accident allegedly occurred while Ramai was driving at about 45 kilometres per hour. As he approached Trench Road, a cyclist rode out into the path of his vehicle.