…due to insufficient evidence

TWO years after Jonnel and Phillip Armstrong were both killed in a fatal accident on the Friendship Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara, a 28-year-old truck driver was freed from the ‘cause of death by dangerous driving’ charge.

Ganshan Ram Das of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was freed from the two charges after Magistrate Fabayo Azore found that the prosecution failed to prove their case due to insufficient evidence.

Particulars of both charges alleged that Ramdass on October 1, 2016, at Friendship Public Road, drove motor lorry GNN 5335 in a dangerous manner which resulted in the death of the siblings, Jonnel and Phillip Armstrong. Das was out on $400,000 bail.

According to reports, on the day in question, the two brothers and a friend were heading to Linden in a Toyota Rav4 when they collided with a truck that was heading in the opposite direction.

Reports are that the driver, who was one of the brothers and was reportedly speeding at the time, lost control as he was negotiating a turn and ended up in the path of the truck.
The driver of the truck managed to swerve but the Rav4 slammed into the side of the truck. The brothers were pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Traffic ranks who responded to the scene are of the view that the wet road might have played a part in the accident.

The mother of the deceased siblings is the Region 10 Health Officer, Dr. Pansy Armstrong, and reports are that the sons were on their way home to assist her in redecorating.