The truck driver who allegedly caused the death of a policeman by driving dangerously was placed on $400,000 bail when he appeared before the Georgetown Magis-trate’s Court yesterday.

Picasso Van Lewin

Picasso Van Lewin, 37, of Garnett Street, Kitty pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving when it was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.
It is alleged that on July 29 at Regent and Light streets, being in control of motor lorry GKK3495, Van Lewin drove the said vehicle in a dangerous manner causing the death of Michael Pratt.

The man who is currently employed by Amins Transportation Service has been a driver for 13 years, his lawyer Sase Gunraj said. According to Gunraj, his client has never been charged with any traffic offence before. An application for reasonable bail was then submitted to the court.

Van Lewin was placed on $400,000 bail but his lawyer told the court that his client would be unable to raise that amount.

Pratt, a 30-year-old police lance corporal, died on Tuesday when the motorcycle he was riding collided with the truck laden with supplies at the corner of Regent and Light streets. The man succumbed to the injuries he sustained moments after arriving at the Georgetown Hospital around 10:40 am.

Michael Pratt

A police press release had said that the policeman was riding his motorcycle east along the northern side of Regent Street when it is alleged that lorry GKK 3495 which was proceeding along Light Street collided with him.