Senior cop charged with causing death of cyclist, driving under the influence

Patrick Todd
Patrick Todd

Deputy Superintendent of Police Patrick Todd was yesterday granted his release on a total of $250,000 bail after he denied two charges, including causing the death of 64-year old cyclist Conrad Alleyne in an accident just over a month ago.

The charges were read to Todd yesterday morning when he appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Todd, the Officer-in-Charge of the No. 2 Sub-Division in ‘D’ Division (West Demerara), is accused of causing the death of Alleyne along the Boerasirie Bridge, West Coast Demerara, by driving motor vehicle PTT 992 in a manner dangerous to the public on September 13th.

He is also accused of driving under the influence at the time of the accident.

Todd, who was represented by attorneys Dexter Todd and Gordon Gilhuys, pleaded not guilty to both charges.The proceedings were adjourned until November 12th.

Before legal advice was obtained in the matter, the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had returned the case file twice to the police while directing that further investigations be done.

A source had previously explained to Stabroek News that in the first instance, the DPP had requested the police to look at five specific areas but only three were addressed.

On Monday, the police received legal advice to charge Todd.

The accident occurred around 7.20 pm on September 13th while Alleyne, a resident of 33 Hague, West Coast Demerara, was riding his bicycle over the bridge.

During the initial stages of the investigation, Todd was administered a breathalyser test and his breath alcohol content was found to be above the legal limit, police had said.

The police, in a statement, had reported that preliminary investigations revealed that Todd was travelling east along the northern side of the bridge when he suddenly felt an impact. Upon investigating, it added, Todd saw Alleyne lying on the bridge with injuries about his body.

Alleyne was picked up in a semi-conscious condition and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.