…to answer charge of causing death by dangerous driving
It has been almost a month since 41-year-old national cyclist, Jude Bentley was struck down by Retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best who is also an executive member of the PNCR and a candidate for the APNU/AFC coalition, on the Rupert Craig Highway.
Dead: Jude Bentley
After sending the file for legal advice, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Thursday recommended that charges be laid against Best for causing the death of the national cyclist.
When contacted, Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas stated the case is likely to be filed on Tuesday, taking into account that Monday is a Public Holiday.
Just after the accident, the former Chief of Staff through his Lawyer James Bond stated that he would be suspending all his appearances at all public campaigns for the APNU/AFC coalition but his lawyer is now saying something else.
“Mr Best is crisscrossing the country on a special assignment. Mr Best, as most people know, is a candidate for the APNU/AFC and has a lot of assignments,” Bond added.
Best was initially taken into custody but was released on $100,000 station bail. He was found to be way above the alcohol limit at the time of the accident.
Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best
After the accident, Bentley’s daughter, Jada Bentley reiterated her call for justice in her father’s death given the fact that the alleged perpetrator tried to clear his name with an untruthful statement.
“I saw that Mr Best was claiming that my dad was not wearing any reflector lights. I felt really angry. Like it was really disrespectful to my dad,” the young lady expressed.
“He obviously, he has a bike shop, he has everything he needs for his bikes, his bicycles and everybody saw the reflectors and he [Mr Best] claimed my dad was not wearing any reflector and he didn’t see him,” the grieving daughter stated.
In fact, last week, family and friends of the late Jude Bentley picketed the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, calling for charges to be initiated against Best.
