Taxi driver accused of causing death, DUI after Coverden accident

Taxi driver Clarence Schwartz was yesterday remanded to prison after he was arraigned on three charges, including causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence.

It is alleged that Schwartz, on June 26, at Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), drove HC 4030 in a dangerous manner, thereby causing the death of Marlon Forde. It is also alleged that on the same day he drove the vehicle while under the influence and also failed to render assistance to the injured Forde.

He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 2.

No facts of the matter were presented in court by Prosecutor Bharat Mangru and Schwartz was unrepresented by counsel.

Forde, a construction worker of Soesdyke, EBD, was a passenger in another hire car that was involved in a head-on collision with the vehicle being driven by Schwartz along the Coverden Public Road. He was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre after sustaining severe head injuries but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The case was adjourned to July 9.