–each granted $400,000 bail

THE two drivers involved in the Sheriff Street accident which killed four-year-old Ambeka Providence almost two months ago was on Monday charged before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Derrick Bailey, 56, of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, and Heeranand Boodhram of Sachi Bazaar, Prashad Nagar appeared on separate charges for the death of Providence.

The charge alleged that on September 10, at Sheriff and Garnette Streets, Georgetown they drove their motor vehicles in a dangerous manner as to cause the death of Ambeka Providence.

Both men denied the charge when the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied by the prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers.

REASONABLE BAIL
Boodhram’s lawyer, Mr. Glen Hanoman in his application for reasonable bail explained that his client is a newlywed, the father of a three-month-old baby, and the sole breadwinner for his family. Hanoman further pointed out that his client was placed on $100,000 station bail during police investigation.

According to the prosecution facts, on the day in question, September 10 at around 22:20hrs, Boodhram was the driver of motor pickup GPP 3500, while Bailey was the driver of motor car PMM 1426.

The deceased, along with her mother and grandmother were occupants of Bailey’s car, which was parked along Sherriff Street, at the Royal Castle parking lot.

Boodhram, the prosecution said, was driving his motor pickup proceeding along Sherriff Street approaching the Garnette Street traffic light, which was reportedly ‘green’ at the time, when Bailey suddenly drove out from the parking lot in an east to west direction, and collided with the pickup.

As a result of the ensuing impact, the four-year-old occupant flung through a window of the vehicle and onto the roadway. It was reported that she died on the spot.

Police said that a breathalyzer test performed on Boodhram at the time of the accident had revealed that his blood alcohol content was above the prescribed limit.

The prosecutor strongly opposed the men being released on bail on the ground that a young life was lost.

Jeffers also stated that Boodhram will soon have to answer to an additional charge, that of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Chief Magistrate released both men on $400,000 bail each, and transferred the matter to City Magistrate Leron Daly for December 20.