POLICE Corporal, Lawrence Carmichael, was released on $1.5 million bail on Thursday for his role as the driver in the fatal accident at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) which claimed the lives of a young couple.

Carmichael appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on February 2, 2022, Carmichael drove the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) vehicle in a dangerous manner at Mahaica, which caused the death of Christopher Bhagwandat, 20, and his 16-year-old girlfriend, Shereeda Persaud, who was also a youth parliamentarian a few years ago.

The police officer was represented by attorneys-at-law Dexter Todd, Dexter Smartt and Jevon Cox. The case is expected in court again on March 10.

Carmichael was charged by police based on the instructions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Video footage provided by a business place close to the accident site showed the GPF vehicle speeding behind the motorcar occupied by the young couple.

Initial reports indicated that, on February 2, Bhagwandat, of Mon Repos, ECD, the driver of the motor car PNN 8852, and Persaud, of Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB), were attempting to flee the police, who initially stopped them for a routine inspection.

In the vicinity of the Mahaica Bridge, the motor car collided with a canter truck, which was travelling in the opposite direction, and the police vehicle crashed into the car immediately after.

As a result of the impact, the truck toppled onto another car.

Added to the fatalities, three law enforcement ranks, including a female officer, were injured.

The occupants of the second car are said to be 29-year-old Derrick Dickson, his wife, and their two children, ages eight and two-years-old.

The man and his family received care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and were eventually discharged.

The lone occupant of the canter truck, 46-year-old Omesh Persaud, of Leguan Island, did not suffer any injuries.