CHRISTOPHER Evans, who was accused of causing the death of an elderly couple on the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara Public Road in 2009, was on Thursday cleared of the charge after the matter was dismissed through a no-case submission.The 39-year-old father of one, a farmer by occupation, was charged with driving van GJJ 7066 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Albert Pearson and Marlyn Alecia Pearson on August 16, 2009.

It is also alleged that on the same day, he drove the said vehicle when his breath alcohol level was 116 ‘microgram’, above the 35 ‘microgram’ limit.
Evans’s case was called before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Providence Magistrates Court on Thursday for continuation of the trial. However, the prosecution’s case against Evans was weak,since no evidence nor eyewitnesses were presented to the court to satisfy the magistrate.
The magistrate said that causing death by dangerous driving “falls short,” since the three police officers who were present to testify at the trial had only vague recollections of the incident. She further noted that one officer, who was a relative of the deceased,had explained that he was only present at the autopsy and funeral and had no other evidence to offer.
Evans was however ordered to return to court on Thursday, June 18 to lead a defence for the driving under the influence of alcohol matter, while he went scot- free on the “causing –deat” charge.

According to a police report ,on August 16, 2009, Albert Pearson, 59 and his wife, Marlyn Alecia Pearson, 62, both of Land of Canaan, EBD, were heading home after attending a christening at Grove, EBD, when the incident occurred sometime after 7:00 pm. The couple, who had been married for 38 years, died on the spot.
Evans, was the driver of a pickup which collided with the couple at Garden of Eden while hewas proceeding north along the western side of the public road, but had ended up on the eastern side.
The defendant’s vehicle collided with motorcycle CF 1626, which was being driven by Albert Pearson who was towing his wife at the time . As a result of the impact, the couple were flung into a trench at the side of the road.
The driver, when examined by the police was reportedly found to have an excessive amount of alcohol in his body which was above the stipulated level.