Lorry driver in Greenwich Park accident which left  five dead, refused bail again

The lorry driver in the gruesome Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) accident which claimed the lives of five persons has been refused bail again following another appearance before Senior Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Ewart Stewart of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was arrested shortly after the accident which occurred on Monday, March 6.

Those who died are: the driver of minibus BWW 8368 50-year-old Vernon Prowell, of Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown; Margaret Kennedy, 72, of Tuschen, EBE; Olga Reddy, 57, and 71-year-old  Stella Parhoo both of Parika, EBE; and Elvis Charles, 40, of Ruby, EBE.

The latter four were passengers of the bus.

In relation to the five causing death by dangerous driving charges, Stewart, who has pleaded not guilty, was refused bail and further remanded to prison. He was, however, granted $20,000 bail on charges for driving an uninsured and uncertified vehicle.

Dead-Stella Parhoo

Stewart will remain on remand until his next court date.

Enquiries disclosed that the lorry was proceeding east along the northern side of the Greenwich Park public road at a fast speed approaching a pedestrian crossing, while the minibus was headed in the opposite direction.

According to the Police, Stewart claimed that a black car, HD 1708, which was proceeding in the same direction ahead of him made a sudden stop at the pedestrian crossing. 

The lorry driver said he applied brakes and swerved right to avoid hitting the car and in doing so, collided with the right front of the Route 32 minibus. 

The impact from the crash also caused a utility pole to fall on a house.