Unlicensed Police Constable who fled accident scene charged with death by dangerous driving

Police Constable: Joel Simon and the deceased Navindra Ramnarine

Police Constable Joel Simon was on Thursday released on $400,000 bail after a charge of causing death by dangerous driving was read to him. He appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Roschell Liverpool. The 24-year-old Police rank pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It is alleged that on May 8, 2021, at Better Hope Public Road, Simon drove motor pickup #GPP 8699 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of 50-year-old Navindra Ramnarine, a fisherman, of 3rd Field Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

Simon was also charged with being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance, failure to stop after an accident, and failure to render assistance.  He also pleaded not guilty to these charges.

Ashton Barker, the registered owner of the vehicle Simon was driving was charged with permitting an unlicensed driver and breach of insurance. He pleaded guilty and was reprimanded and discharged.

Simon’s next court date is June 30, 2021.

According to reports, on the day in question,  Ramnarine was crossing the road from north to south when motor pickup # GPP 8699 which was proceeding west on the southern carriageway along the southern driving lane, and driven by Simon, collided with him.

As a result, the pedestrian fell onto the roadway and received injuries to his body. Simon drove away. The victim was then picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police in a statement indicated that at 18:00 hrs Ashton Barker of Norton Street, Werk-en- Rust, Georgetown reported to the Police and claimed ownership of the vehicle.  Shortly after that at about 18:25 hrs, Simon turned himself in with his lawyer and admitted to being the driver of the vehicle.