Essequibo Coast man slapped with 2 counts of vehicular manslaughter

and Rafeek, who were proceeding in the same direction on their pedal cycles.

As a result of the collision, both men ended up in a nearby trench. It was reported that due to the impact, Maniram’s head was detached from his body. After crashing his car, the suspect fled the scene without rendering assistance to the two injured men.

The lifeless body of Maniram was subsequently pulled from the trench and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary. Rafeek later succumbed to his injuries. Sitaram was arrested.

CJIA, Police recover lost luggage in Berbice

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) have come in for high praise after they were able to quickly retrieve a missing piece of hand luggage belonging to passenger Oswald Blair.

Under the Motor Vehicle and Road

Traffic (Amendment)

Bill 2022, 21-year-old

Derindra Sitaram of Devonshire Castle, Region

Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Friday charged with vehicular manslaughter for causing the deaths of Mohan Maniram and 23-year-old Zamaan Rafeek along the Devonshire Castle Public Road.

At the time of the accident, Sitaram was driving a motor car bearing registration number PAD 831 along the Devonshire Castle Public Road, Essequibo Coast, at a fast rate of speed and collided with Maniram

At the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Sitaram was not required to plead to the charges of manslaughter, failing to render assistance, and driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident occurred on January 31 last.

However, Magistrate Esther Sam granted bail in the sum of $2 million to Sitaram and adjourned the matter to February 28, 2023.

Back in November 2022, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022, which is aimed at toughening existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it results in was passed in the National Assembly in the absence of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance

For Change (APNU/AFC).

Guyana Times had reported that in a bid to ensure safer roadways, draft amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill were approved by the Cabinet in March of 2022, with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them.

The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act sought to amend the Principal Act and put in place a new Section, 35A. This new Section makes causing the death of someone through drunk driving a case of vehicular manslaughter.

The draft Bill also amends Section 39A of the Principal Act – the penalty for driving while over the alcohol limit – replacing the $7500 fine with $200,000, and the sentence of 12 months with 24 months.

It has also been proposed back in March 2022, that the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle be increased from its current $30,000 to $60,000 fine/imprisonment for 12 months to $200,000 for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second-time offenders.

Following a complaint about his missing hand luggage, the CJIAC said it immediately commenced a review of the ClosedCircuit Television System (CCTV) and was able to identify the female passenger that left the airport with the extra piece of luggage.

The vehicle number, along with an image of the passenger, was shared with the Guyana Police Force, and ranks were able to recover the hand luggage in Berbice.

The bag was then handed over to Blair, who confirmed that his money, phone, laptop, and other personal items were intact.

Blair said he was pleased with the swift action taken and applauded the airport and Police.

Meanwhile, the CJIAC is reminding all passengers to carefully examine their luggage before leaving the airport. Passengers requiring assistance can contact the airlines or the Airport Duty Office at 592 (261-2281) or 592 (600-7022). (G1)