The driver who was allegedly behind the wheel of the mini bus that crashed last Friday resulting in the death of a school boy has been remanded to jail.Leon Pharahoo, 24, of No 69 village, Corentyne appeared yesterday before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on two charges.He is accused of driving in a manner dangerous to the public on the Bengal, Corentyne public road thus causing the death of Mavin Budhoo, 16, a student of Skeldon High School and of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.He is also charged with having failed to render assistance to an injured person.Bail was refused and the accused was remanded.Prosecutor Inspector Godfrey Playter in objecting to bail cited the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. Persons are still hospitalised, was another reason given by the prosecutor. He also noted that the accused had fled the accident scene and that in all likelihood the accused would flee the jurisdiction, not returning for his trial.The accident involved minibus BPP 2259 – which was packed with school children and some other teenagers – motor car PSS 5063, and a motor lorry GPP 8452, which was parked at the side of the road. The accident occurred on February 12 about 18:30 hrs on Bengal Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.According to information, Budhoo and others were returning home after travelling to the Albion Community Centre to witness the Corentyne segment of the Children’s Mashramani competition, when the minibus, which was being driven by Phararoo at a fast rate of speed, attempted to overtake the aforementioned motor car and in the process clipped the right front of the vehicle. The impact forced the motor car off the road and into the right front (cab) of the truck which was parked on the eastern side of the road.Phararoo lost control of the minibus which toppled several times. It slammed into a fence and then crashed into a post, ending up on its right side.Budhoo and several others were taken out of the vehicle by public spirited citizens and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital. Budhoo was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.The driver had fled the scene after the accident.Injured were Ruth Ramotar, Subrina James, Natasha Ramballi, Britney Toney, Benita Arjune, Chandranie Ramwattie,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Takaram Dhanraj, Marcia David and Malisha Ragnauth, all of Corentyne, Berbice.Phararoo is expected to return to court next Wednesday, February 24, at the No. 51 court, when the matter is expected to be called again. |