Twelve days have passed since 57-year-old pedal cyclist Ramlackhan, who was struck by an intoxicated corporal attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but the army official is yet to be charged.
Deputy Police Commissioner and Traffic Chief, Linden Isles explained to Guyana Times on Saturday that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is still investigating the matter surrounding the pedal cyclist’s death and that further action in this regard is dependent on the post-mortem examination (PME) report.
“It was a serious accident that turned into a fatal accident. So at that time [and until now], he was released in the custody of the Army. Now the investigation is continuing because it was a serious accident initially and so we now have to investigate a fatal accident,” Isles said. He added that a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge, as well as others that may be laid against the army rank, will be done all together in one file that will be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Meanwhile, C Division Commander, Calvin Brutus, in whose policing division the accident took place, also told this newspaper on Saturday that the police are in receipt of the PME results.
“So, the file should be going for advice to the DPP in the new week,” he added.
Ramlackhan’s death occurred on June 19 last, less than two weeks after he underwent emergency surgery while in an unconscious state at the GPHC.
Previously, Commander Brutus had explained to this publication that since Ramlackhan had been involved in the accident, he never regained consciousness.
Therefore, while he was in an unconscious state, the only charge that could be laid against the Army Corporal was that of DUI.
However, according to the police, now that Ramlackhan has succumbed to his injuries, investigations into the situation will take a different route since the military official can be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
“The army rank is presently on station bail but has to return to the police station on Monday [June 24, 2019]. The file for the DUI is yet to be returned to us [police] for further action. In relation to the pedal cyclist losing his life, further investigation has to be done since the victim died,” the police explained.
On May 25 last, Ramlackhan was struck down along the Vryheid’s Lust Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) by motorcar PRR 7815 allegedly being driven by the soldier. The severely injured man is said to hail from Lot 346 Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos, ECD.
At the time of the accident, Ramlackhan was towing another friend who is reportedly from Sixth Street, Success, ECD. His friend suffered minor injuries.
Reports are that on the day in question the duo was riding along the roadway when they were hit off the bicycle by the vehicle being driven by the GDF rank, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.
Ramlackhan was picked up and taken to the GPHC, where he was admitted a patient.
A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the vehicle and it was discovered that his alcohol intake was above the legal limit. While Ramlackhan was in a coma at the GPHC, the soldier, who was allegedly driving the car involved in the accident, was released into the custody of the Army.
“The Joint Services protocol dictates that we hand him over to his superiors pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). With regards to Police having custody of Joint Services ranks, it is dependent on the category of crime. For instance, if it is murder or so, they will stay in our [GPF] custody. If it is a lesser category, we hand them over to their respective agency and they will take responsibility to bring them back whenever is needed; or if advice is to charge, they will make them available and bring them so,” Commander Brutus had also stated at that time.
