More traffic charges for accused in ‘Early Bird’ death

Ashley Pieters
Ashley Pieters

Ashley Pieters, the woman charged with causing the death of a man at Broad and Ketley streets two weeks ago by dangerous driving was read additional traffic charges yesterday.

Pieters, 27, of Lot 33 Lyng Street, Charlestown pleaded not guilty to the charges of dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving on Monday.

She denied driving motor car PLL 732 in a dangerous manner in public view on June 12 at Broad and Ketley streets and denied that because of her alleged dangerous driving she caused the death of John France called ‘Early Bird’.

The woman appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, for a second time, yesterday charged with breach of insurance; being an unlicensed driver and failure to report an accident. The mother of two pleaded not guilty to the three additional charges when they were read to her by Magistrate Nyasha Williams-Hatmin.

It is alleged that on June 12 at Broad and Ketley streets, Georgetown Pieters was an unlicensed driver and thereby in breach of insurance with respect to third party risk.

Further, it is alleged that being the driver of the said car when the accident occurred, which resulted in the death of France, Pieters failed to report the incident within 24 hours of it happening.

Pieters’ attorney, Neil Boston, attempted to apply for bail. However, the magistrate declined to address the issue of bail explaining that her court was not yet in possession of the files for the two earlier charges which were read to the accused by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.

“I will not address the issue of bail,” Magistrate Williams-Hatmin said. “The jackets are not before me. I wish to see all the charges together before I determine whether I will grant bail.”

The accused was further remanded and next appears in court tomorrow.

Reports had said that France, 57, of Henry Street, Charlestown, died while in surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital shortly after being rushed there. He had reportedly suffered broken ribs and massive internal injuries. Anthony Paul, 21, of Ketley Street, was also injured. His left leg was shattered and he had complained of a severe pain in the head.