By Clestine Juan
TWO minibus drivers were on Friday granted $250,000 bail for allegedly causing the death of a woman near the Demerara Harbour Bridge, East Bank Demerara, early Thursday morning.
Jamal McCloud, 50, of East Bank Essequibo and Michael Thorne, 26 of Farm, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.The court heard that the men on May 26 drove their minibuses in a manner dangerous to the public along the Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara, which caused the death of Roxanne Mitchell.

Thorne was the driver of a Route 42 minibus, BPP 1670 which was going north towards Georgetown, while McCloud was the driver of the Route 32 minibus that was turning towards the Harbour Bridge when the two collided.
The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge, since the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was not applied. McCloud was represented by Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva, while Attorney Mark Conway was Thorne’s lawyer. Both Attorneys pleaded for the drivers to be released on bail.
According to McCloud’s lawyer, the father of three has been a bus driver for more than 15 years and is married. DaSilva deemed the accident as an unfortunate one, since the woman was his client’s neighbour. He further begged the magistrate to take into consideration that McCloud is hypertensive and a diabetic patient.
Meanwhile, Thorne’s lawyer, Conway, stated that his client is currently immobile and had to be lifted into the courtroom with assistance from the police. He further pointed out that the man is the sole breadwinner for his family.
Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones made no objection to bail, but disclosed that the woman lost her life because of the recklessness of the bus drivers. The prosecutor disclosed that on the day in question about 01:00h, McCloud was proceeding south on the East Bank Public road, while Thorne was proceeding north.
As both of the buses were approaching the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the traffic light at the junction was flashing amber and both men failed to stop, which resulted in a collision.
The woman was rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The chief magistrate granted the men bail and transferred the matter to city Magistrate Judy Latchman for June 13.
Roxanne Mitchell, her husband along with several others were in McCloud’s minibus were returning from the 50th Independence Anniversary flag-raising ceremony at D’Urban Park.