Man cleared of biker’s death after compensating family

Jan Verwey was yesterday cleared of causing the death of a biker by dangerous driving, after the parents of the dead man asked that the charge against him be dropped because he compensated them.

Verwey, 32, had been charged with causing the death of Orlando Augustus on August 25, at Conversation Tree and Railway Embankment. It was alleged that he drove motor car PNN 6496 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Augustus.

Jan Verwey

At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the father of Augustus, James Augustus, took the witness stand and declared that he and his wife would no longer press charges against Verwey, because he decided to compensate them for the loss of their son.

The matter charged was then dismissed against Verwey.

Jan Verwey

Augustus, 22, of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Hospital, after the collision with Verwey at the junction. He died as a result of a fractured skull.