TRUCK driver Dwayne Loaffe was, on Thursday, placed on $1M bail after appearing in city magistrate Judy Latchman’s court, arraigned on a charge of causing the death of Delicia Gonzales on the Linden Highway last Saturday.Particulars of the charge against the 23-year-old Land of Canaan, EBD resident detailed that he drove motor lorry GMM 2065 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Gonzales, who had been seated in the tray of the lorry, at Hararuni Public Road.

With the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) applied, the indictable matter was laid; and, represented by attorney-at-law Dexter Todd, Loaffe pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was also charged for carrying a person in the tray of his truck without written permission from the relevant authorities. Loaffe pleaded guilty to that charge and was fined $20,000, defaulting payment of which he would have to serve two weeks’ imprisonment.

Todd explained that his client was recently discharged from the hospital and had suffered from a broken leg and arm, caused by the accident.

The lawyer further revealed that his client, along with several others, had to be taken to the hospital to seek medical attention.

The prosecutor, Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt, did not object to Loaffe being granted bail, thus the truck driver was released on bail, and was ordered to return to court on October 15 for statements.

Police reports allege that on September 26 last, at about 21:30 hrs, the accused was driving motor lorry GMM 2065, with the deceased and several others in the tray, proceeding along the Hararuni Public Road on the Linden Highway, when he tried to swerve from a car, lost control of the vehicle and the passengers in the tray of the lorry were flung several feet in the air before landing nearby.

Unconscious, the injured were rushed to the hospital, while Gonzales reportedly died instantly from the injuries he had sustained.
(Clestine Juan)