University of Guyana (UG) student Tyree Li-A-Ping on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving for mowing down a pedestrian on the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) last Saturday.
Police said in a news release that Li-A–Ping was charged on Monday and appeared in the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the charge was read to him.
Police said he pleaded not guilty and was placed on $300,000 cash bail.
The matter was adjourned until August, 11, 2021.
The accident led to the death of 54-year-old Kenneth Smith of Ocean View, Uitvlugt, WCD, who expired while receiving treatment at the Leonora Cottage Hospital and seriously injuring another pedestrian 43-year-old Rampaul Sursen, of Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.
According to a press release from the Guyana Police Force, the accident involved motorcar # PZZ 9052 driven by Li-A-Ping, a 21-year-old University of Guyana student and a resident of Hague Public Road, WCD, and motor pickup # GPP 8150, driven by 39-year-old Sahadeo Singh of Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo, and pedestrians Smith and Sursen.
Police said that motor pickup #GPP 8150 was proceeding east along the northern side of De Willem Public Road, WCD in a line of traffic when the driver alleged that he turned on his right traffic indicator to turn south into Harrykisson Street.
During the process of doing so, police said the driver of PZZ 9052 lost control of his vehicle and collided with the motor pickup before crashing into a fence along the northern side of the said road, and finally colliding with the two pedestrians who were standing in the yard.
“As a result of the collision, both vehicles were damaged and the pedestrians received injuries to their bodies. They were picked up in an unconscious state and placed into a motorcar and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where both of them were seen and examined by a doctor on duty.
“Smith later died while receiving medical attention and Sursen was referred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, suffering from a fractured left ankle and injuries to his body,” police said.
Police said a breathalyzer test was conducted on both drivers but no alcohol was found in their systems.
