A Route 42 minibus driver was, on Monday, July 22, 2019, released on $700,000 for causing the death of two of his passengers, who lost their lives during an accident on the Garden of Eden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), two months ago.

Typhon Sampson, 31, of Supply, EBD was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Particulars of the charge alleged that Sampson, on May 5, 2019, at the Garden of Eden Public Road, EBD, drove minibus BXX 3014, in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the death of Linden Charles and Michael Cozier.

Sampson was released on $700,000 bail and the matter was adjourned until August 6, 2019.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Cozier, 34, formally of Charlestown, and police constable Charles were among seven passengers in Sampson’s minibus on May 5, 2019.
According to information from the Guyana Police Force, minibus BXX 3014, which was allegedly driven by Sampson, was travelling at a fast rate, south along the eastern side of the road in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force Agriculture Corps.
The driver allegedly lost control of the bus and ended up in a trench on the western side of the road.

Cozier and Charles were among seven passengers who were all injured in the accident and were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Cozier was pronounced dead on arrival, while Charles and the other passengers were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further treatment.
Charles suffered from spinal injuries and later succumbed to his injuries while the other passengers were treated and sent away.

The driver reportedly fled the scene and left the injured passengers inside the minibus. He turned himself over to the police two days after the accident.