Court to decide on case against NIS driver in death of biker
Magistrate Fabayo Azore will next month decide on the case against National Insurance Scheme (NIS) employee Dwayne Gonsalves, who was charged last November with causing the death of biker Ronaldo Jaundoo, following a collision at James and Barr streets, Albouystown.
The charge against Gonsalves states that on November 2nd, 2017, he drove NIS pick-up GVV 8249 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Jaundoo.
Police prosecutor Dominic Bess yesterday closed the prosecution’s case and Gonsalves’ attorney, Dexter Todd, subsequently urged magistrate Azore to dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence.
Prosecutor Bess, however, urged the court to find that a prima facie case has been made out against the accused.
Magistrate Azore later adjourned the matter until April 20th, when a decision will be made on whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against the accused.
Jaundoo, who suffered injuries to his head and parts of his body, was taken to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Mahaica minibus driver Narsingh Jagasar, who is accused of causing the death of Melanie Damishana octogenarian Lydia Rodrigues by dangerous driving, was yesterday granted his release on $300,000 bail.
Jagasar was previously charged with causing the death of 87-year-old Rodrigues and was remanded to prison.
Jagasar was granted a $300,000 bail release when the matter was called again yesterday before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. The matter was then adjourned until April 5th.
Police had said Rodrigues was “standing on the northern side of Melanie Damishana Public Road. As the minibus that the accused was driving approached, [Rodrigues] began to cross the road from north to south and ended up on the southern driving lane and the [minibus] collided with her.”
Police said after the woman was struck down, she fell on to the road surface and sustained injuries to her head.
Rodrigues, a mother of four, was picked up in an unconsciousness state by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.