REION Alphonso, 23, was on Tuesday slapped with three charges for causing the death of Nandranie Singh, 54, of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. He appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to answer to the charges.

It is alleged that on February 27, around 18:45 hours while driving motorcar HB 5965, he struck down Singh on the Affiance Public Road. He also failed to render assistance to her.
The court also heard that he was on his mobile phone at the time of the accident.

Alphonso pleaded not guilty to the charges of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to render assistance and driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile handset.
His attorney told the court that Alphonso is currently in a common-law relationship, is the sole breadwinner for his family, and urged the court to grant him reasonable bail.
Police Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack did not object to bail and Magistrate Sam granted him bail on condition that he reports to the Charity Police Station every Monday at 09:00 hrs.

For the causing death by dangerous driving charge, he was granted $400,000 bail and for the two others he was released on his own recognisance.
He is expected to return to court on March 28.

Relatives of Singh were displeased with the court’s decision to grant Alphonso bail, contending that it is unfair for a driver to kill someone and walk free the next day.
A post-mortem examination conducted on Singh on Monday revealed that her death was due to multiple injuries.

Singh was struck down in the vicinity of Imam Bacchus Supermarket. She had visited the supermarket to do shopping with her daughter, Reema Singh.
Information disclosed that the motorcar was proceeding south along the eastern side of the Affiance Public Road at a fast rate when the driver saw the pedestrian next to the crossing and applied brakes but still collided with her.

The mother of five was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but later succumbed to her injuries.
Police conducted a breathalyser test on the driver but the results showed negative.