RITESH Bhagwandin, the 19-year-old driver of the sand truck that took the lives of four persons on the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara on October 18, 2013, appeared on Friday last before Providence Magistrate Leron Dailey for the continuation of his trial.Now 22, Bhagwandin, of Lot 12 Hope, East Coast Demerara, stands indicted for driving motor lorry GPP 8495 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the deaths of Felix Marc,

Corretta and Delroy Evans, and Poolmattie Samaroo.

He had been remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The matter was thereafter transferred to the Providence Magistrate, and the trial began on January 15, 2015.

A total of 10 witnesses have so far been called, including civilian and police personnel. Among them is Orson Riley, who was in the front seat of the Mahdia-bound minibus and had suffered a fractured shoulder and other minor injuries.

Riley told the court that he was in the front seat of a Route 72 (Mahdia) minibus which was proceeding south along the Coverden Public Road when he saw two motor lorries proceeding north on the said road. Motor lorry BPP 8495 was behind the other lorry, while the bus was in the other lane.

He said motor lorry GPP 8495 overtook the other lorry and came in the path of the minibus, resulting in a collision that caused him to lose consciousness; and when he awoke at the scene of the accident, the bus was tucked in a trench, badly wrecked, and he was rushed to the hospital.

On Friday last, Police Sergeant Harry testified that he was present at the accident scene and saw an ambulance take away the injured to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, while the 19-year-old driver of the motor lorry, Bhagwandin, was taken to that hospital in motor car PKK 881, driven by Corporal Ambrose.

Sergeant Harry explained that he summoned a tow truck to take the mangled minibus BPP 3521, which was lodged in a nearby trench, after which he also left for the hospital.

“Upon arrival at the hospital,” he said, “I learnt that four persons had died because of injuries they had received in the accident.”
The witness noted that Bhagwandin was later admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital along with four other persons.

The Police Sergeant denied that, on October 21, 2013, he had arrived at the hospital after receiving information that the driver of the motor lorry was being discharged, and he had swiftly carted him off to the Madewini Police Outpost where he had told him of the offence of the incident.

The Police Sergeant said he had requested Bhagwandin to submit a statement of the accident and he had refused. However, he later submitted one via his lawyer. Nevertheless, Harry said he had taken Bhagwandin to the scene of the accident to show him the point of impact. The measurement was recorded and they returned to the outpost, where Bhagwandin was charged with four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Bhagwandin’s lawyer, Mr. Bernard De Santos, during cross-examination of Sergeant Harry, highlighted that in his client’s statement, the Police had been told of a lorry that had come over to his client’s lane, causing him to swerve to avoid a collision.

De Santos said that because his client had swerved from the lorry, his right side steering was dislodged and he had lost control of the lorry, which ended up going into the other lane.

The lawyer further highlighted that the police were unable to provide the court with model, colour or registration number of the unknown motor lorry; and he upbraided the Police Sergeant who was giving his testimony.

The matter was then adjourned until 22 July.

A still distraught Donna Don, wife of the deceased bus driver Felix Marc, attended court on Friday, and expressed her frustration at the pace of the trial. The widow pleaded with witnesses to be present at the trial to give their evidence, even though the tragic incident happened almost two years ago.

By Clestine Juan