Bus driver charged over Kitty road death

Elson Washington, accused of causing the death of another man by dangerous driving, was yesterday admitted to $150,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The allegation against Washington, 43, of Lot XX Independence Square North East La Penitence, is that on February 21, at David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he drove minibus BLL 9879 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Stanley Troyer.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Vernette Pindar, who presented the police’s case, said that the incident occurred at about 8:50pm. She said that Washington was driving his minibus when he turned east into David Street and the left side of the vehicle collided with Troyer.

According to Pindar, Troyer fell to the ground and sustained injuries and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in an unconscious state. He was admitted to the institution’s Intensive Care Unit, where he died three days later.

The court then heard that further investigations were conducted, which led to Washington’s arrest and charge.

Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who represented the accused, made an application for his client to be admitted to reasonable bail on the grounds that he had no antecedents, posed no risk of flight, had a fixed address and had been cooperating with the police.

The prosecution had no objections to the accused being admitted to bail, which was initially set at $200,000.

Gilhuys, however, successfully negotiated a reduction, saying that his client is of meagre means. The court granted a $50,000 reduction and ordered the accused to return to court on July 26 for continuation of the matter.