THE 37-year-old driver, who was involved in the fatal accident at Sandy Babb Street and Vlissengen Road, which claimed the life of squash athlete Ian Mekdeci, was, on Tuesday, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving an unlicensed vehicle.

Roberto Narine of School Street, Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara was arraigned before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Narine denied the first charge which alleged that on May 1, 2022, he drove motor jeep #PTT 4136 while being under the influence of alcohol.  He was released on $20,000 bail.

However, he pleaded guilty to driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and was fined $20,000.

He was then taken back into police custody pending the filing of a causing death by dangerous driving charge.

This newspaper had previously reported that Mekdeci was a passenger in motor car #PXX 4592, which was being driven by his friend, Sheik Baksh, 31, of Dowding Street, Kitty.

The police said that around 02:15 hours on the day in question, Narine was proceeding along Vlissengen Road while Baksh was proceeding west along Sandy Babb Street.

It is alleged that on the approach at the intersection, Baksh was crossing/proceeding on the ‘green light’ but Narine failed to stop, resulting in a collision.

As a result of the collision, both vehicles suffered extensive damage.

Baksh and Mekdeci received injuries and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by ambulance in an unconscious condition.

Mekdeci of First Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, died while receiving medical attention. Baksh was admitted as a patient in the Emergency Unit at the hospital suffering from a broken left arm, lacerations to the head and a punctured left lung.

A breathalyser test conducted on Narine allegedly showed 162 per cent and 151 per cent micrograms respectively, which is way above the legal limit.