THE trial of 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, has been adjourned because of an absent witness.Now aged 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,

Coretta Evans, 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 Magistrates Court before Magistrate Leron Daley, and the trial began on January 15, 2015.
A total of 11 witnesses have so far been called, including civilians 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 same 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 into the path of the minibus, resulting in a collision that caused him to lose consciousness.
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.
The police sergeant explained that Bhagwandin was later admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital along with four other persons. However 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 swiftly carted him off to the Madewini Police Outpost, where he had told him of the offence.
Sergeant Harry 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.
The matter was then adjourned until Friday, August 14, 2015.
By Clestine Juan