A 44-year-old driver has been charged following a fatal road accident that occurred on April 18, 2026, along the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), which claimed the life of pedestrian Matthew Van-Veen.

The incident took place at approximately 18:30 hours and involved motor pick-up GAB 5505, owned and driven by Maurice Menezes of Coverden Public Road, EBD, and Van-Veen, a 52-year-old labourer formerly of Castello Housing Scheme, East La Penitence, Georgetown.
Following investigations, Menezes was on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, formally charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving, in contravention of Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
He appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was read. He entered a plea of not guilty.
Bail was granted in the sum of $300,000, and the matter was adjourned to May 20, 2026, for a status report.
The fatal collision involved a Ford Raptor and pedestrian Van-Veen and occurred in the vicinity of the Guyoil gas station. Reports indicate that Van-Veen was crossing the road from west to east while carrying a five-gallon container of fuel when he was struck by the vehicle.
He was picked up in a semi-conscious state by the driver and public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he later died while receiving medical treatment.