Driver granted $500,000 bail in fatal Sheriff Street collision
November 23 3024 – Denzel Webb, a 28-year-old driver from Belfield, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal accident on November 19, 2024, at the intersection of Sheriff and Dennis Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown.
The incident claimed the life of 42-year-old pedestrian Carlton Smartt, a resident of Garnett Street, Campbellville. Webb appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was granted bail in the sum of $500,000. The defendant is expected to return to court on December 13, 2024.
According to police reports, Webb was driving west along Dennis Street at high speed when he failed to stop at a stop sign at Sheriff Street. This resulted in a collision with another lorry, motor lorry #GAH 8008, driven by 26-year-old Emanuel Henry of Lusignan, ECD.
The impact caused both vehicles to lose control, with Webb’s lorry striking several parked cars before fatally hitting Smartt, who was walking along the road. Smartt was pronounced dead at the scene.
In court, police prosecutor Tarik Braithwaite opposed bail, citing the alarming rise in traffic accidents linked to reckless driving and stressing the need for accountability.
However, defence attorney George Thomas argued for reasonable bail, emphasising Webb’s clean driving record over his 10-year career and his cooperation with authorities.
Thomas argued that Webb attempted to apply the brakes before the accident, but they malfunctioned. Considering the submissions from both sides, Magistrate Mc Gusty granted bail, allowing Webb to remain free while awaiting trial.
