A driver from Rose Hall Town was charged on Tuesday following his involvement in a fatal accident.
Shakir Batson, 25, an employee of Lot 113 Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Albion Magistrates’ Court.
Batson is charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the death of 20-year-old Jainarine Rampersaud, formerly of Lot 233 Area ‘R’, Haswell Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
Attorney-at-law Sasha Roberts, representing Batson, informed the court that her client is not a flight risk and assured that he would attend all trial proceedings. She requested that bail be granted.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Edwards did not present specific facts of the case but indicated that the police had no objection to bail being granted.
Magistrate Matthias set bail at $800,000, with the condition that Batson report to the Albion Police Station every other Friday at 9:00 hours.
The case is scheduled for a further hearing on July 15, when the police are expected to submit statements related to the matter.
According to reports, on October 27, 2024, 18-year-old Rampersaud, a mechanic, was riding motorcycle CN 9498 with 15-year-old pillion rider Stephon Verrapen, also of Port Mourant.
They were travelling on the Hampshire Public Road in Corentyne, Berbice, when Batson’s car collided with their motorcycle, causing the pair to fall onto the road.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the motorcar driver, who armed himself with a cutlass, claimed he was driving along the Corentyne Highway when the motorcycle came up from behind and struck his car, damaging the rear lights.
Both Rampersaud and Verrapen were initially taken to the Port Mourant Hospital for medical attention. Rampersaud was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and then to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he passed away on November 7, 2024.
The driver was subsequently arrested and brought before the court.
