A 27-year-old West Bank hire car driver who reportedly caused the death of a seven-year-old girl by driving in a dangerous manner was released on bail when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Jaichan Latchman of 49 Alliance, Canal Number Two on the West Bank Demerara was not required to plead to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and was released on $100,000 bail by Magistrate Fazil Azeez.

It is alleged that last Wednesday at the Stanleytown Public Road, Latchman caused the death of Elizabeth McGowan by driving motor car HB 2704 in a manner dangerous to the public. Reports are the child, a student of the La Retraite Primary School, was crossing the road on the pedestrian crossing when she was struck down by the car which was reportedly speeding. She was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital but died before receiving treatment.

Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman entered an appearance for Latchman. In a bail application he said that immediately after the accident his client picked up the girl and carried her to the hospital. He declared that Latchman had been driving without incident for nine years and was in police custody since Wednesday and had cooperated fully with the police. He stated that while being rushed to the hospital, the girl was alive. He also noted that the car had “minor damage which speaks volumes.”

Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue said that investigations revealed that Latchman had indeed transported the child to the hospital and he had cooperated with the police and as such he was not opposing bail.

The magistrate subsequently granted bail and ordered Latchman to return to court on March 15 at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.