Fireman granted $250,000 bail over Bagotville road fatality

The member of the Guyana Fire Service who allegedly struck down and killed boat builder, Clement Skeete almost four months ago was last week released on $250,000 bail after he denied the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Clive Scipio appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse last week Thursday in the Wales Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on October 14, at Bagotville Public Road, West Bank Demerara, Scipio allegedly drove his motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Scipio.

Bail was granted and the matter was adjourned until March 2.

Sixty-year-old Skeete of Lot 111 Bagotville, West Bank Demerara was struck down and killed by a motorcar on the evening of October 14 while crossing the Bagotville Public Road, in the vicinity of his home.

The accident was witnessed by his 10-year-old son who was awaiting his arrival since it was customary for them to purchase ice cream every Friday afternoon.

Dead: Clement Skeete

Skeete sustained massive head injuries and a fractured neck. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention.

The police in a press release had said that Skeete was riding across the road when he ended up in the path of a car which was proceeding south.

He was hit, fell onto the roadway and was taken to the hospital where he subsequently died. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver but no trace of alcohol was recorded. Reports reaching this newspaper had revealed that Skeete had left for work on the morning of October 14 last year and was returning home when tragedy struck.

After he was hit by the car, he was flung into the air before falling onto the roadway.

The child had related that his father was halfway across the road when the speeding car appeared from nowhere and hit him off his bicycle.

The driver stopped a short distance away after realizing he had hit someone.

Scipio was arrested following the accident and released on $150,000 station bail after his 72-hour detention period had expired. The case file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who advised the charge.