Cop charged with drunk driving following death of motorcyclist

Sep 07, 2018 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News 0

Charged Ryan Persaud

A 23-year-old police constable who failed a breathalyzer test following a fatal accident last Saturday, was yesterday charged and released on $25,000 bail for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Ryan Persaud of Lot 81 Gordon Street, Kitty, appeared before City Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
He denied the charge which read that on September 1, last, at Nelson Mandela Avenue; he drove Guyana Police Force (GPF) minibus PVV 4652, while his breath alcohol level was 91 micrograms. The normal breath alcohol level is 35 micrograms.
Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson in a bail application for his client stated that Persaud has been a serving member of the Guyana Police Force for the past three years and eight months.
The lawyer added that his client is the sole bread winner for his family and is currently the subject of another investigation in relation to the death of 23-year-old Akemo Anthony, motorcyclist, who died in the accident.
While Police Prosecutor, Sheryl Layne made no objections to bail being granted to the defendant she instructed the defendant to lodge his passport with the court until the completion and determination of the trial.
She also instructed him to make his next court appearance on October 11 for the commencement of the trial.
According to a Police release, the defendant on the day in question was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of Mandela Avenue when the motorcyclist was proceeding in the opposite direction on motorcycle CJ 511.
It was reported that the cyclist suddenly turned north into the path of the minibus in an attempt to cross into Back Circle Street but because of the short distance, the bus collided with the motorcycle.
As a result of the impact the cyclist sustained injuries and later succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The Court heard that the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.