A driver of the Ministry of Health was today released on bail after being charged with causing the death of a pedal cyclist on Vlissengen Road.
50-year-old Orlando Fraser of Lot 12 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was this morning arraigned before Magistrate Clive Nurse who released him on $250,000 bail for a cause of death by dangerous driving charge. He denied that on February 19, he drove minibus 5798, dangerously, thereby causing the death of Cuthbert Crandon.
The father of three was represented by an attorney who told the court that his client has been a driver for the Health Ministry for seven years. The court heard that the man was driving in the vicinity of the Guyana Water Incorporation when the now-deceased man was riding a bicycle in the same direction. He added that Crandon made an unsuspected attempt to turn in front of the vehicle to cross the road. The Counsel said that his client made an effort to avoid collision with the cyclist but this did not happen and he struck the man.
According to the police, Crandon was severely injured and was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital. A diagnosis of his injuries revealed that the cyclist suffered five broken ribs and a lung contusion. The police reported that Crandon was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane of Vlissengen Road, holding a mattress on his head when he suddenly swerved right onto the western-drive lane in an attempt to cross onto the western side of the road. However, he ended up in the path of the mini-bus which was proceeding south along the eastern-drive lane of Vlissengen Road at a fast rate. The driver swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision however it was not avoided. As a result, the cyclist fell onto the roadway and suffered multiple injuries to his body.
