Lorry driver fined over near-collision with commander’s car

The driver of a motor lorry which almost collided with a vehicle in which Commander of ‘B’ Division, Stephen Merai was travelling pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving and was fined $15,000.

Umashankar Parmanand of Sheet Anchor, Canje who was also given the alternative of spending 42 days in prison, drove into the path of the commander’s car, PKK 885 on December 4.

He appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Friday before Magistrate Omeyana Hamilton. The court heard that the defendant was parked along the northern side of the Number Two Canje public road while the commander’s car, driven by Corporal Grant was proceeding in the opposite direction. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Satrohan Dayaram told the court that Parmanand drove across the road suddenly, causing the car to swerve from “north to south to avoid a collision.

A few months ago another truck driver also swerved into the path of the commander’s car in a similar manner and also pleaded guilty to the charge.