Driver in Dartmouth toddler death fined for several traffic offences

The man who reportedly struck down and killed 23-month-old Javell Peters in front of his home on Sunday last, yesterday appeared in the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce and was charged and fined for several traffic offences.

However, Devaughn Fordyce of Dartmouth Essequibo Coast was not charged with causing death by dangerous driving because the investigations are not yet complete.

The police alleged that on March 23, at Clarke Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, Fordyce drove motorbus BRR 7143 without being a licensed driver. The police also alleged that on the said day, Fordyce drove motorbus BRR 7143 when a policy of insurance was not in force.

Fordyce was not represented and pleaded guilty to both charges read to him. According to him, he is the owner and also the conductor of the bus. He added that on Sunday, after dropping the driver of the bus home, he “took a chance” and was driving through Clarke Street when the accident occurred.

However, because of incomplete investigations, Fordyce was not charged with causing death; he will be charged on a later date.

Magistrate Scarce said he was not going to consider the fact that a child died as a result of the accident since the investigations are not complete and Fordyce was only charged with the traffic offences.

Fordyce was subsequently fined $40,000 for driving without being a licensed driver and $40,000 for the breach of the insurance policy.