Taxi driver on $800,000 bail for causing death by dangerous driving

A taxi driver who resides in Kitty, Georgetown, was on Friday released on 0,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

It is alleged that Noel Defreitas, on January 24, 2017, was driving at a fast rate, dangerous to the public, along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and subsequently collided with pedestrian Maurice Nurse. Nurse later succumbed to his injuries. The accused denied the charge.

According to the prosecution’s case, Nurse was walking along the public road when he was struck by the speeding driver. The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that a life was lost as a result of the accused’s negligent actions.

Defence Attorney Patrice Henry stated that his client is a 54-year-old father of two who has diabetes. He requested bail for his client on the grounds that Defrietas is not a flight risk and had cooperated with the Police investigation from the inception. The Attorney further requested a post-mortem of the deceased to determine whether the accused’s action was the sole cause of Nurse’s demise.

Despite the prosecution’s objection, bail was granted and Defreitas’ driver’s licence was suspended until the conclusion of the trial. The matter will continue on February 13 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.