The taxi driver, who allegedly struck down an elderly woman and then dropped her off at her house instead of a hospital, was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with causing her death.

Ray Stephens

Ray Stephens, 32, of 764 Parfait Harmony, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry. It is alleged that on July 27, he drove motor car PLL 6488 in a dangerous manner to the public, resulting in an accident that caused the death of 78-year-old Eileen August of 704 West Ruimveldt.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question at around 9am, Stephens was proceeding north along Cemetery Road in his car when August attempted to cross and he struck her.

The prosecution said further that the car’s right side bumper had struck August causing her to sustain a broken right hip and ankle and other injuries. The prosecution noted that Stephens picked up August and instead of taking her to the hospital to be treated for her injuries, he took her to her West Ruimveldt home.
The prosecution then objected to Stephens’ bail application on the grounds that he may not return for his trial if released. “This is a case where no compassion whatsoever was shown to the VC (August),” Prosecutor Denise Griffith said. She added that August was at home suffering for several days   before family members made contact with her and took her to the hospital.

The magistrate then ordered that Stephens be remanded to prison and that he appear back in court on September 21.
Stephens had already been charged with dangerous driving, failing to render assistance and failing to report an accident when he had appeared earlier at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He had pleaded not guilty to those charges and was also remanded to prison.
Stephens was said to have been in a rush to get to a funeral on the day he allegedly struck down August.