Parika hit-and-run: Driver fined for DUI, dangerous driving, failing to render assistance

Navindra Persaud, a 31-year-old hire car driver, has been fined for a series of offences committed against Otisha London in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).
The decision was handed down by Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Persaud pleaded guilty to all charges instituted against him, which included driving under the influence (DUI), dangerous driving, and failing to render assistance to an injured person.
After considering the severity of the offences, the court imposed a fine of $100,000 with an alternative of three-months’ imprisonment on the DUI charge; $50,000 fine or three-months’ imprisonment for the dangerous driving charge, and a fine of $20,000 or 14 days’ imprisonment for the failure to render assistance charge. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving prison time.
The charges against Persaud arose from an incident in Parika, where he struck Otisha London and drove away from the scene. A video capturing Persaud’s dangerous driving along the East Bank Essequibo Public Road went viral on social media.
The video, widely shared online, exposed Persaud’s near miss in causing a severe accident and revealed the moment of impact with London. The footage provoked public outrage and led to the swift arrest of Persaud after reports were made of his reckless behaviour.
In the video, Persaud momentarily stopped his vehicle and exchanged a few words with London before failing to provide any assistance to the injured victim and leaving the scene. This disregard for a person in need further intensified public condemnation and resulted in the legal actions taken against Persaud. (G9)