Driver charged with manslaughter after vehicle hits woman

A 43-year-old man accused of manslaughter after unlawfully killing a woman when his vehicle hit her was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $300,000 when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The allegation against Rudolph Persaud is that on July 31 at Georgetown, being the driver of motor vehicle PHH 5267, he unlawfully killed Yvette Francis.

Rudolph Persaud

The father of two who resides at 32 Sheriff Street, Campbellville was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge of manslaughter when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

In presenting the prosecution’s facts of the case, prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that on the day in question, the accused had gone into a Regent Street gas station to purchase gas for his vehicle and on his way out of the service station, his vehicle came into contact with the deceased who after being hit fell to the ground in an unconscious state.

Francis was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she subsequently died.
According to Telford, based on information received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Persaud was arrested and charged for the offence.

Attorney-at-law Mohamed Ali who represented the accused made an application for his client to be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that he has no antecedents, has a fixed place of abode, poses no risk of flight and has been cooperating with the police in their investigations.

The prosecution had no objection to the defendant being granted his pretrial liberty.
Ali’s request was granted and his client was placed on bail in the sum of $300,000. Persaud’s matter was transferred to Court Two for December 1 for reports and fixtures.