Driver, 25, on $450,000 bail over death of Mahaicony pensioner

Deonarine Lalchand
Deonarine Lalchand

Chait Balkarran, the driver involved in Tuesday’s accident that claimed the life of Mahaicony pensioner, Deonarine Lalchand was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $450,000 after he was charged with several traffic related-offences including causing death by dangerous driving.

Balkarran, 25, of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice (WCB) appeared before Magistrate Melissa Mittelholzer at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on September 22nd, he drove motor lorry GMM 9448 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Lalchand. He was granted $400,000 bail on this charge.

Balkarran was also accused of driving without a licence, breach of insurance, failing to stop after the accident and failing to render assistance to an injured person.

He pleaded not guilty to these charges. Balkarran was granted self-bail on the breach of insurance charge.

Bail was granted on the condition that he lodge his passport. The matter was adjourned to October 19th.

Sixty-eight-year-old Balkarran lost his life on Tuesday morning after the bicycle he was riding allegedly collided with a motor lorry.

The accident occurred around 8.05am at Wash Clothes, Mahaicony.

The police had said that Balkarran was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road when he tried to overtake Lalchand who was going in the same direction.

Enquiries revealed that Lalchand veered into the path of the lorry when he tried to dodge a pool of water along the road.

To avoid a collision, Balkarran swerved to the western parapet. However, despite his efforts, his left rear wheel collided with Lalchand causing him to fall unto the road where the same rear wheel ran over him.

Lalchand suffered multiple injuries to his head and body. He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead.