Family of victim calls for justice

Leonora fatal accident

…as file being prepared for advice

Thirty-nine-year-old Romel Carter, who died after being hit by an allegedly speeding truck along the Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was laid to rest on Thursday last, but his family is still hoping for justice.

His brother, Kempton Carter, in a recent interview with Guyana Times, explained that the driver responsible for his brother’s death was released on station bail following the accident on December 1, 2019.

However, in providing an update on the case, the younger Carter explained that he recently spoke to a senior Police rank who informed him that a report on the causing death allegation is presently being prepared to be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
But despite expressing some disappointment over the way the matter was initially handled, Carter is expecting a good outcome.

“We’re just here waiting, hoping and praying that we get justice … They gotta do their job, how they do it, but we’re hoping to get good results,” he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean confirmed that the file was being prepared and would soon be dispatched to the DPP’s office.
But according to the Commander, the accused driver, Dean Gharbaran appeared before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, charged for the offences of operating unlicensed motor vehicle contrary to section 22(1) and uncertified motor vehicle contrary to section 15 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
Gharbaran pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the matters were subsequently dismissed after it was found that related documents were still valid.
“The driver was placed before the court for two minor offences last week and we are presently preparing a report for advice as it relates to the causing death part of it,” the commander noted.
The accident occurred about 13:30h near the Leonora Police Station, WCD.
After the accident, the driver of the truck picked up the injured man and took him to the hospital for treatment, but after realising that the pedestrian was dead, he allegedly attempted to flee, but was arrested by the Police.
It was further reported that at the time of the accident, there were two other occupants of the truck who made contact with Police to notify them of the accident.