EBD fatal accident: Alleged drunk driver on $1M bail

Shivendra Ramraj of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, who is accused of causing the death of a man in a drunken crash has been released on $1 million bail. Ramraj, 34, a salesman, was on Wednesday, arraigned before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on two charges.

The first charge stated that on July 25 at Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove motorcar PZZ 1621 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of 51-year-old Stephen Bishop of North-East La Penitence, Georgetown.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he drove the motorcar while he was under the influence of alcohol. The defendant who was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva pleaded not guilty to both charges.
During a bail application, the lawyer told the court that his client has no antecedents.
Police said that the accident occurred on Sunday at about 18:55h.
According to reports, Ramraj was driving his motorcar at a fast rate of speed proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the Providence Public Road when he alleged that Bishop ran across the road. The driver said that he immediately applied brakes but still ended up colliding with the pedestrian.
Bishop was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Meanwhile, Police said that a breathalyser test conducted on Ramraj revealed that his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. (G1)