Months after former Commander of Regional Division 4B, Senior Police Superintendent, Mahendra Singh was injured in an accident at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the driver of the motor lorry involved was slapped with a dangerous driving charge.
Romel Benjamin, 29, of Lovely Lass Village West Coast Berbice (WCB) appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on January 10, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison.
The charge read that on August 02, 2023, along the Friendship Public Road, EBD, he drove a motor lorry, BAE 38 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing injuries to Mahendra Singh.
However, Benjamine made another court appearance on February 8, 2024, before Magistrate Latchman and was granted $50,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to March 12, 2024, but was further adjourned to April 8, 2024.
The defendant remains on bail and the matter is now set to continue on May 10, 2024.
It was reported that a pickup truck, PAC 5254 owned by the Guyana Police Force was at the time being driven by a 31-year-old Police Constable, and it was taking Commander Singh to a Presidential engagement.
The motor lorry, BAE 38 operated by Benjamin was reportedly travelling at high speed in the opposite direction.
However, as the lorry attempted to overtake a line of traffic, it veered into the path of the Police pickup, which was travelling without any flashing lights or sirens thus resulting in a collision.
Benjamin, Commander Singh and the Police Constable were transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Center where Benjamine was diagnosed with a broken right leg and left wrist and was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
In addition, Commander Singh suffered from multiple abrasions on his body. He too was referred to the GPHC. A breathalyzer test conducted on Benjamine found no trace of alcohol in his system.
