Alleged drunk driver gets  $1M bail for causing death of pedestrian

A 34-year-old sales representative was on Wednesday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. Shivendra Ramraj of Lot 782 Herstelling East Bank Demerara appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge stated that on July 25, 2021, at Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove motorcar PZZ 1621 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Stephen Bishop.

It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he was driving under the influence of alcohol. He denied both charges after they were read to him.

Ramraj was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard Dasilva.

Facts presented by the court prosecutor stated that on the day in question, motorcar PZZ1621 was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway western driving lane of Providence Public Road at a fast rate of speed. Ramraj alleged that Bishop ran across the road from east to west into the path of his vehicle.

Ramraj told ranks that upon seeing the pedestrian, he applied his brakes to avoid a collision but the front center portion of his vehicle collided with the pedestrian. As a result of the collision, Bishop fell onto the road and sustained injuries to his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and placed into the said motorcar and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on Ramraj and the first test read 151 micrograms with the second test reading 161 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.

The Magistrate after listening to the facts granted Ramraj $1M bail on the causing death by dangerous driving charge and $10,000 on the driving under the influence of alcohol charge.

He was instructed to make his next court appearance on August 20.