–accused of drunk driving

ALMOST three days after 20-year-old Gaitri Sahadeo was killed in a motorcycle accident along the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) road, her 24-year-old reputed husband has been charged with causing her death; he was also slapped with six other traffic related charges.
Laurent McGarrell of Golden Grove, EBD, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and denied that on July 23, 2017 at Providence, he drove motorcycle, CJ 1957, in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Sahadeo.
McGarrell, a Forklift Operator at Caribbean Containers Inc. was released on $100,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate and ordered to return to court on August 8. He was then immediately taken before City Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, to answer to six other traffic related offences as a result of the accident. He was charged with driving without a driver’s licence; driving without a third party insurance; driving without a safety helmet and driving the motorcycle without consent from the owner.

He was also charged with driving the motorcycle while being under the influence of alcohol. A Breathalyzer test was done on McGarrel which showed that he had a blood alcohol level of 40 micrograms. The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the charges, except taking the motorcycle without the consent of the owner.
He explained to the court that “his brain is not working since he is studying his dead wife” and he is not in the right frame of mind. Magistrate Scarce then ordered that McGarrell be examined by a psychiatrist. McGarrell was ordered to post bail in the sum of $20,000 on each charge. As a condition of bail, McGarrell was ordered to report to the Providence Police Station every Saturday until the determination of the matter. He has to return to court on August 8.
According to reports, the accident occurred at around 00:30hrs on the eastern carriageway of the Providence, EBD Public Road when the motorcycle suffered a blowout.
Sahadeo, who was the pillion rider and who was not wearing a helmet, reportedly sustained injuries to the head. She was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed.