Unlicensed cop slapped with causing death charge released on bail

A 24-year-old Police Constable who fled the scene after an accident was on Thursday slapped with a charge for causing death by dangerous driving. Joel Simon appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

Simon denied the charge which stated that on May 8, 2021, at Better Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), he drove motor pick-up bearing registration number GPP 8699 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Navindra Ramnarine of Third Field, Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Simon was also charged with the following traffic offences; being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance, failure to stop after an accident, and failure to render assistance. He also pleaded not guilty to these charges. As such, he was released on $400,000 bail and was scheduled to return to court on June 3.
Ashton Barker, the registered owner of the motor vehicle Simon was driving, was charged with permitting an unlicensed driver and breach of insurance. He pleaded guilty, and was reprimanded and discharged.

Ramnarine, 50, a fisherman, was killed while crossing the road at Better Hope. The accident occurred around 20:00h. It was reported that Ramnarine was struck by a Toyota Tundra pick-up while it was overtaking another vehicle.
The now dead man was dragged approximately 100 feet from the initial point of impact. He was then run over by the vehicle which later sped off the scene. Ramnarine reportedly had been visiting relatives in Better Hope.
A few days after the accident, Simon, who is attached to the Brickdam Police Station, surrendered to the Police in the company of his lawyer, stating that he had been the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident. This was only after the registered owner reported that the vehicle that had been involved in the accident belonged to him.