Drivers charged for drunk driving, other traffic offences

Ruby fatal accident

– causing death case file still being prepared

The drivers of the two motor cars that struck and killed a 44-year-old North-West District (N-WD) man last weekend on the Ruby Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), were on Tuesday fined and released on station bail after they were charged for drunk driving and a series of traffic offences.
The duo appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to the series of charges.
Kimberly Pearson, 21, of Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Grove, East Bank Demerara was charged with the following offences: Driving under the influence of alcohol; unlicensed driving; driving an uncertified motor vehicle, and driving an uninsured motor vehicle. She was fined a total of $77,500.
Sherwin Joseph, 28, of Hyde Park, E.B.E, was also charged with the following offences: driving under the influence of alcohol; driving an uninsured vehicle; driving an unlicensed motor; and driving an uncertified motor vehicle. He was fined a total of $65,000.
In addition to the fines, the two defendants were placed on station bail with respect to the death of pedestrian Shurman Daniels, a logger/labourer of Kamwatta Mission, NWD. The file for this case is still in the process of being compiled, but is expected to be sent for legal advice later this week.
Reportedly at some time around 01:30h on Saturday, motor cars PWW 6657, driven by Pearson, and PRR 459, driven by Joseph, struck the 44-year-old Daniels who was allegedly walking in the centre of the Ruby Public Road.
The cars were both heading west along the southern carriageway when the vehicle driven by Joseph first struck Daniels. Immediately, the rear of the vehicle driven by Pearson also collided with the pedestrian.
The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. He was identified the following day by his sister.
The two drivers were arrested shortly after the accident, and were found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption.