Herstelling sales rep charged with causing death by dangerous driving

Stephen Bishop
Stephen Bishop

A sales representative was yesterday charged with causing the death of Stephen Bishop on Sunday in an accident at Providence.

Shivendra Ramraj, 34, a sales representative of Lot 782 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was placed on $1 million bail yesterday when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. 

The particulars of the charge state that on July 25, at the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Stephen Bishop of North East La Penitence, Georgetown. Ramraj was also placed on $10,000 bail for a driving under the influence of alcohol charge.

He was not required to enter pleas for the charges and was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva.  The matter was adjourned until August 20. 

This newspaper previously reported that Bishop, 51, of North East La Penitence, Georgetown, was crossing the public road in the vicinity of the Ramada Princess Hotel around 7.30 pm on Sunday when he was hit. According to the police report, Ramraj, operating vehicle PZZ 1621, had been proceeding south along the eastern carriageway’s western drive lane at a fast rate of speed. He has alleged that Bishop ran across the road into the path of his vehicle.

According to Ramraj, he applied brakes to avoid a collision after he saw the man but nonetheless, struck the pedestrian. As a result Bishop suffered injuries about his body. He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination gave his cause of death as multiple injuries.

Meanwhile Ramraj had to undergo two breathalyser tests both of which confirmed that he was over the legal alcohol limit.