Aviation officer charged with killing pedestrian on Covent Garden road

Jamale Lowe
Jamale Lowe

An aviation officer was yesterday granted bail after he was charged with causing the death of a pedestrian by dangerous driving.

Jamale Lowe, 33, of 1433 Farm, East Bank Demerara, was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charge to him in a Georgetown court.

It is alleged that on August 8th, at Covent Garden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Lowe drove BVV 2848 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Franklyn Dover.

He was not required to plead to the charge.

Dover, 43, of Lot ‘L’ First Street, Bartica, was struck down around 8 pm on Wednesday and succumbed to his injuries at approximately 11.15 pm, at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police said their investigations revealed that minibus BVV 2848 was proceeding south along the western lane of the eastern carriageway of the road when it struck Dover, who was running across the road.

Dover was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital in an unconscious state and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

Lowe’s attorney requested reasonable bail for him, claiming that he was driving under the speed limit on the day of the accident. The attorney asserted that it was the now deceased man who darted in front of the defendant’s vehicle, resulting in the accident.

However, Police Prosecutor Vivian Adolph said that at the time of the accident Lowe was driving at a fast rate. He then went on to object to bail being granted, citing the seriousness of the crime.

Chief Magistrate McLennan subsequently granted the accused his release on $600,000 bail, despite the objection by the prosecution. Lowe was also ordered to report every Friday at 8.30 am to the Providence Police Station until the completion of his trial. He was also told that his licence would be suspended pending the outcome of the proceedings.

The matter was then adjourned until August 20th.