Days after a motorcyclist lost his life in an accident, a Kitty man said to have been involved in the incident today denied that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. Joel Thomas, 29, however, admitted to driving without a tint permit when appeared before City Magistrate Clive Nurse.
The first charge stated that on July 8, 2019, at Vlissengen Road, he drove motor vehicle PTT 2510 with the glass tinted beyond the legally prescribed Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage. He pleaded guilty to this charge.
It was further alleged that on the same day and the same location, he drove motorcar PTT 2510 while his breath alcohol level was above the legal limit. He pleaded not guilty to this second charge.
According to information, on the day in question, Stephon Beckles, 22, lost his life after motorcycle CH 9859, which he was riding, collided head-on with Thomas’ motor car.
It was reported that Thomas was proceeding North along the western lane of Vlissengen Road while the motorcycle was proceeding south along the eastern lane of the said road at a fast rate of speed.
It was reported that the motorcycle ended up in the path of Thomas’ motorcar, causing the head-on collision. Following the collision, both Beckles and his friend Kevin Andy, who was the pillion rider, fell off the motorcycle and received severe injuries to their heads and other parts of their bodies.
They were both picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Beckles was pronounced dead on arrival. His friend remains a patient at the institution.
Thomas was represented by attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon who asked that his client be released on reasonable bail.
The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, fined Thomas $7,500 for driving without a tint permit while he was released on $10,000 bail for the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
However, shortly after Thomas posted bail, he was arrested and taken into custody due to the ongoing investigation.
