DHANRAM Ramdeo Ramlall of 4210 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday and was placed on $1 million bail. He was charged with dangerous driving and causing the death of his reputed wife Gangadai Persaud.It is alleged that on November 8, 2015 at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Ramlall, called ‘Rico’ drove his canter truck in a dangerous manner causing it to overturn and topple into the Demerara River, thereby causing the death of Persaud.

He is expected to return to court on November 30.
Defence Counsel Sandil Kissoon, in his application for bail, stated that Persaud’s body was laid to rest yesterday and hence he requested that his client be granted bail to pay respects to her. He also submitted to the court that his client did not pose a flight risk and would return for all his court hearings.
Prosecutor Inspector Shellon Daniels, in her submission, told the court that on the day in question the defendant was driving at a fast rate, as stated in his statement, when he lost control of the vehicle on the retractor span causing the vehicle to go overboard. Persuad who was seated in the passenger seat succumbed after the vehicle sank. Ramlall swam to safety but strong current prevented divers from retrieving the truck and the body in a reasonable time.
According to an eyewitness, the driver of the canter was trying to pick up a bag of boulangers (egg plants) that had fallen onto the bridge. Reversing on the ramp Ramlall’s vehicle wheel slipped over the ridge of the retractor causing the entire vehicle to topple overboard.

By Sherah Alleyne