Driver on $300,000 bail after fatal Providence Road crash

A 44-year-old motorist has been placed on bail after being charged in connection with a fatal accident along the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), which resulted in the death of a pedestrian earlier this month. Dead is 52-year-old labourer Matthew Van-Veen, who was formerly of Castello Housing Scheme, East La Penitence, Georgetown.

The charge was laid against Maurice Menezes of Coverden Public Road, EBD, following investigations into the incident, which occurred at about 18:30h on April 18. Menezes appeared last week before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court, where the allegation of causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, was read to him. He denied the charge.

He was subsequently released on $300,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to May 20. According to reports, the accident involved motor pickup GAB 5505, a Ford Raptor owned and driven by Menezes, and the now-deceased pedestrian.
Enquiries revealed that Van-Veen was in the process of crossing the roadway from west to east in the vicinity of the GuyOil service station when he was struck by the vehicle. At the time, he was reportedly carrying a five-gallon container of fuel.
Following the collision, the injured man was assisted by the driver along with public-spirited citizens and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in a semi-conscious condition. He later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.