A Coroner’s Inquest into the death of 17-year-old cyclist, Ricardo James, who was killed after colliding with a route 50 minibus will commence on Friday, February 21, before Magistrate Marissa Mittleholzer at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court. Based on reports, James, a labourer of 12 Recess Village, Mahaicony, East Cost Demerara was picked up in an unconscious state after colliding with a bus.
The accident occurred on July 30, 2018, along the Good Faith Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The teen was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. Police in a statement on the accident said that the bus, BTT 5273 driven by a 59-year-old resident of La Raisonable, ECD was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the road; James was heading east along the southern side.
The driver of the minibus told the police that the cyclist suddenly swerved north into his path and collided with the front left side of his vehicle. A breathalyzer test performed on the bus driver showed no traces of alcohol. In a notice published in the daily newspapers by the Registrar of the Supreme Court nine witnesses are being asked to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on Friday to gave testimony.
The witnesses include three police ranks; Constable David Blair, Constable Maurice Smith, Corporal John Walcott, Sergeant Patrick Benjamin and Sergeant Charlene Nedd, who are all stationed at the Mahaicony Police Station. The notice further indicates that Lawrence Madray and Brian James of Maruca Barima Waini, Region One also have to testify along with Allison Thomas of Recess, Mahaicony and Randolph Bowen of La Raisonable, Mahaicony.
