THE Preliminary Inquiry into the deaths of twelve persons, who succumbed to injuries following an accident at Suzanna Village, Corentyne on October 29 last began on Tuesday at the New Amsterdam Court, before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo. Facing the charge of causing death by dangerous driving is Chetram Moonsammy, who was behind the wheel of motor lorry GLL 8863 on that fateful day.
Police Corporal Sherlock King led Sergeant Forbes Brown, who instituted the charge, in his evidence in chief, and the case is adjourned to July 5, when the lone witness will return to the witness box.
Particulars of the offence, which were sworn to by Police Sergeant Forbes Brown stated that on Friday October 29, last at Suzanna Village, Corentyne, Berbice, he allegedly drove motor lorry GLL 8863 in a manner dangerous to the public, resulting in the deaths of; Oudit Narine Babulall, Marques Ault, Nazaradin Mahinudin, Salmaa Razac, Orlando De Mattos, Janet Baker, Cindy Jaggernauth, Lalita Mendonza, Patricia Asgerally, Josiah Khan, Salima Juman –Dinmohamed, and Chetram Ramphal.
Moonsammy faces summary charges for failing to render assistance the police said. The defendant on the said date, while driving GLL 8863, and being involved in an accident, where by injuries were caused to the now deceased, failed to render assistance, by failing to take the said persons to a registered medical practitioner for  treatment.