Two drivers charged in connection with fatal Riverstown accident

Two Essequibo Coast drivers have been charged in connection with the fatal three-vehicle smash-up that claimed the life of 28-year-old contractor Kevin Bacchus of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, earlier this year. The tragic accident occurred on June 4, along the Riverstown Public Road, Region Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam).
Appearing separately before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Friday, were Jairam Sukhu, 44, a driver of Maria’s Lodge, and Yougeshwar Persaud, 29, a truck driver of Columbia, Essequibo Coast.
Sukhu was charged with Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, contrary to Section 35 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, in relation to the death of Bacchus. The charge was read to him, and he was not required to plead at first. However, after the application of the Administrative of Justice Act (AJA) by the prosecutor, the charge was reread, and he pleaded not guilty. Sukhu was represented by Attorney Onassis Granville.

Although the prosecutor objected to bail, Magistrate Mohabir granted bail in the sum of $1 million, with the condition that Sukhu must report to the Suddie Police Station every Friday pending trial. The matter was adjourned to October 30 for disclosure of statements. Meanwhile, Yougeshwar Persaud was charged with Dangerous Driving under Section 36 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, for his role in the same collision.
He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $300,000, with a condition that he reports to the Anna Regina Police Station on the last Friday of every month until the trial concludes. His case was also adjourned to October 30, for the disclosure of statements. According to reports at the time of the accident, Bacchus was driving motor lorry GNN 4987 when he collided with an excavator track that was loaded on motor lorry GAJ 2185, driven by Sukhu. The impact caused Bacchus to lose control and crash into another truck bearing trade plate BMI-2, driven by Persaud. Bacchus sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital. His father, Ravi Bacchus, had told reporters that his son had been transporting materials between two nearby construction sites when the collision occurred. He alleged that the low-bed truck carrying the excavator was not properly positioned, with the tracks hanging off the side of the trailer, and that both trucks were reportedly speeding with blinding lights that may have impaired his son’s vision. Both Sukhu and Persaud were initially taken into custody following the accident as police launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the fatal crash. The case remains before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, as the two accused await trial.