Good Hope fatal accident: Kitty man charged for motor manslaughter, DUI

A 38-year-old man from Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown, has been charged in connection with a fatal accident that occurred on April 20 at Good Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Wilfred Sanasie was arraigned last Tuesday before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court. He faced two charges – causing the death of Takurand Seemangal, 63, by dangerous driving (motor manslaughter) and driving under the influence (DUI).

He pleaded guilty to DUI of alcohol and was fined $60,000, but pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on June 12.
Seemangal of Lot 157 Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, died at about 06:10h on April 20, after the vehicle in which he was travelling crashed into a parked lorry at Good Hope, ECD.
Based on reports received, at the time of the accident, the vehicle, GGG 6387, which is owned by Seemangal, was being driven by Sanasie.
Police said the vehicle was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the public road when its left-side front portion collided with the right-side rear of parked motor lorry GLL 3694.
The driver and Seemangal sustained injuries, and were picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Seemangal was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, a person will be found guilty of motor manslaughter where that person causes the death of another person while driving under the influence of drink or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.
The penalty for conviction of this offence is imprisonment for not less than 10 years.

Meanwhile, a person who is convicted of the offence of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drug will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 12 months.
Where a person is convicted of two consecutive offences of driving under the influence of drink or drug, he or she will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 24 months.
And where there is a third conviction of this nature, the person will be permanently disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence. (G1)