A 29-year-old police constable was today charged with causing the death of a 61-year-old woman, who was struck down while attempting to cross the Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara.
Michael Lewis appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool. He denied the charge which stated that on May 24, 2020, at Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara, he drove motor car PKK 9991 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Zalima Subrattie called ‘Patsy’ of Pigeon Island Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.
Lewis was placed on $200,000 bail and instructed to make his next court appearance on October 12 for report.
According to reports, the accident occurred around 18:15 hours last evening at Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The driver told police that while driving, he changed lanes in order to overtake a vehicle that was proceeding in the said lane. Soon after, he claimed that the female pedestrian quickly stepped off the median and into his path. He then attempted to swerve left to avoid a collision, but the right-side front of his vehicle collided with the woman.
The elderly woman fell to the roadway; she received injuries about her body. Meanwhile, police headquarters in a statement disclosed that motor car PKK 9991 was proceeding east along the northern driving lane on the northern carriageway way of Chateau Margot Public Road. An eyewitness who was at the scene told investigators that he was at home when he heard a loud commotion, followed by persons screaming.
Upon checking, he saw a woman lying motionless on the roadway. The police and the ambulance were called in.
On arrival, the paramedics took the woman to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver; he was not above the legal alcohol limit.
