A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank was yesterday released on $1 million bail after he was charged with causing the death of a pensioner, who was struck down five months ago along the Soesdyke Public Road.
It is alleged that Zamani Archibald, 24, drove a motor pickup, DFB 1566, on March 11, 2017, on the Soesdyke Public Road in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Harry Persaud.
Archibald, of Manchester, Corentyne, Berbice, denied the charge, which was read in a city court. Police prosecutor Vishnu Hunt made no objection to bail being granted and bail was subsequently set at $1 million bail by magistrate Judy Latchman.
Archibald is due to make his next court appearance on August 30, when statements in the matter are expected to be handed over.
After the hearing ended, Archibald was escorted out of the courtroom without shackles, instead of down the prisoner’s chute as is the usual practice.
At the time of the accident, Persaud, 65, was towing a child on a pedal cycle. They were proceeding south along the eastern side of the roadway, while the GDF pickup was proceeding behind.
This newspaper was told by a police official that the GDF rank claimed that Persaud swerved west across the road and in trying to avoid him he swung in the same direction, resulting in the left front side of his vehicle colliding with the pedal cycle.
Persaud and the child were picked up and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, while the child was given treatment before being transferred to Georgetown.
