Carpenter charged over accident death of former soldier

A West Coast Berbice carpenter was yesterday placed on $500,000 bail after he was charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of a retired soldier who drove for the Ministry of the Presidency, Clifford Crandon

Appearing before Magistrate Rondell Weever at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court, O’Neil Alfred, 43, of 66 Semple Street, Hopetown, West Coast Berbice yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that he, on Monday evening drove motor car PFF 1232 on the Bush Lot Public Road, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Crandon.

Clifford Crandon

The police prosecutor did not object to the bail application put forth by Alfred’s attorney, Darren Wade, but requested that he report to the Fort Wellington Police Station every other Friday.

Crandon, 43, of Number Nine Village, WCB, died whilst receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital, after he was struck off his motor bike by a car, in an accident which occurred at 16:30 hours on June 5.

According to a police release, motor car PFF 1232 was proceeding east along the northern carriageway on the Bush Lot Public Road, while Crandon who was riding his motor bike, CF 8454 was heading in the opposite direction.

According to a police source, the driver of the car made a sudden turn in front of Crandon’s path, as a result, hitting him off his bike and onto the road. The former soldier was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was treated, then later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Commander of ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam, related to Stabroek News that a post mortem conducted on Crandon revealed that he died from multiple injuries.