Drivers freed of causing death charges

-after court finds omission of key evidence

Two men, each accused of causing death by dangerous driving, were yesterday cleared of the charges against them after a city magistrate found that crucial evidence was not presented by the prosecution.

Asif Khan, who was on the run for almost a month after he allegedly struck three youths, killing one of them, had the charge against him dismissed at the conclusion of his trial before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Khan was charged in January last year with causing the death of 18-year-old Parmanand Deokaran, on December 20, 2014, at the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara, outside the Princess Hotel.

Ashif Khan
Ashif Khan
Parmanand Deokaran
Parmanand Deokaran

Khan, of Lot 25 Bagotstown, Georgetown, allegedly drove motor vehicle PRR 5555 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing injuries to Deokaran, Davendra Mangal, 20, and Kayshawn Ramnarine, 17, and he failed to render assistance to them by taking them to a medical practitioner.

On the same day also, Khan was alleged to have failed to report the accident to a police officer.

However, Magistrate Azore, in upholding a no-case submission on behalf of Khan, yesterday stated that there was no document tendered by the prosecution to show the cause of death of Deokaran.

As a result, the death by dangerous driving charge against Khan was dismissed.

Meanwhile, taxi driver Joel James, who was charged with causing the death of an elderly passenger that he had been transporting, also had the charge against him dismissed after a no-case submission was upheld.

The charge that was leveled against James stated that on July 31, he drove motorcar HA 5086 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Daphne Layne, 81,  in the vicinity of Houston Access Road, East Bank Demerara.

Joel James
Joel James

At the time, James was transporting Layne and two other persons when the vehicle they were in was rammed by a minibus. Although both he and the bus driver were subsequently taken into custody, he was the only person charged.

At the conclusion of the proceedings yesterday, Magistrate Azore said there was insufficient proof led to establish that the person named in the charge was the same person that died as a result of the James’ dangerous driving.

As a result, the no-case submission on his behalf was upheld and the charge against him was dismissed. (Oliceia Simon)