TWENTY-YEAR-OLD, Darshan Babulall of Number 46 Village, Corentyne, who allegedly drove a 4×4 pickup dangerously, splitting a mango tree in two and resulting in the death of Roy De Souza, appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Whim Court.

He was not required to plead to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving. He was ordered to post $500,000 bail and return for a hearing on October 8.

Police Sergeant, Philip Sherriff, prosecuting, said on August 31 last, the defendant drove motor vehicle GPP 8240 along the Alness Public Road at a fast rate of speed, resulting in him losing control and thereafter colliding with the fifty-two-year-old, pedestrian, De Souza, killing him instantly.

Consequently, the uncontrollable vehicle was propelled into a mango tree, splitting it into two before coming to a halt, meters away from the initial impact.
The unconscious man was taken to the Port Mourant hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the defendant, along with other occupants of the vehicle, sustained injuries and had to be taken to a health institution, where they were treated.
Residents said; they had retrieved several bottles containing alcoholic beverages from the damaged vehicle.
Babulall, along with his brother Yudesh, and a female friend were returning from the famous Number 63 beach when the accident occurred.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)