Mandela Ave. fatal hit-and-run…Magistrate sets $2.1M bail for GWI driver

Mar 07, 2014 News

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Twenty seven-year-old Shawn Ravindra Ramai appeared afraid as he quietly occupied the prisoners’ docks during the court proceedings yesterday morning. Moments before his case was called by Magistrate Judy Latchman, his lawyer Mortimer Coddett was seen attempting to pacify him, while about half a dozen of the victim’s family members were evidently emotional during the session at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Ramai, of 15 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, is the suspected driver in the hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a food vendor on Mandela Avenue nine days ago.
The victim, Claude McPherson called ‘Chippy’ was said to be riding his bicycle when he was struck by a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and dragged about 100 yards from the point of impact.
Reports from that area are that McPherson was found in front of a shop with his bicycle badly mangled. His leg was severely crushed. The father of six died a few hours after the accident at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Less than an hour after the accident, the driver who made off from the scene reportedly parked a damaged vehicle bearing registration number PRR 2923, in the water company’s Vlissengen Road and Church Street compound.
In a statement, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had said that the driver reported to work the following day and submitted a written report of an accident. According to GWI, the driver claimed that he hit a horse and asked for time off to visit a relative in the hospital.
Amidst the cry for justice by the victim’s family members, efforts to contact Ramai days following the accident reportedly proved futile.
When the driver – who turned himself in earlier this week – appeared for his arraignment, he was slapped with four charges.
Aside from being indicted for causing death by dangerous driving, Ramai was charged for failing to stop his vehicle after the accident, failing to render assistance to McPherson, as well as failing to report the accident within the allowed time.
The first charge laid against him detailed that on February 26, Ramai drove in a manner dangerous to the public on Nelson Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, while piloting motor pick up PRR2923 thereby causing McPherson’s death.
It is alleged too that on the said date, he drove the vehicle and having been involved in an accident which resulted in injuries to McPherson, Ramai failed to stop the vehicle after the accident and render assistance to the injured.
Ramai was also charged for failing to report the said accident to a police station within 24 hours of the said accident.
When each of the charges was read to him, he pleaded not guilty and submitted an application for reasonable bail through his lawyer.
Coddett, in his address to the court, acknowledged that the situation was unfortunate. Ramai had been licenced for the past six years and had been under the employ of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for the last seven months, he said.
According to the attorney, about four weeks ago, the driver reported to the authorities at GWI that there was a problem with the vehicle’s brakes which needed attention, but his complaint was ignored.
He said that on the night of the accident, Ramai, on duty at the time, was driving east along Mandela Avenue at 45mph since it was a dark and rainy night.
The lawyer claimed that as his client approached “Trench Road,” McPherson who was operating a pedal cycle rode into the SUV.
“My client stopped, came out and went to see what happened to the injured person, but by that time a crowd gathered. Before he could have seen what happened, he was attacked by a crowd so he had to run back to the vehicle and got away to save his life,” Coddett related.
He said that Ramai then took the vehicle back to his work place and parked it.
“Since then, he has been in a state of shock and confusion. After the publicity in the newspapers of the accident, he sought legal representation.”
The lawyer claimed that “out of caution” he went to Dr. Hanoman and received a medical report which showed no harm was done to his body.
On Monday, they then reportedly went to the Brickdam Police Station and Ramai, producing a written statement, turned himself in.
In making his bail application, Coddett asked the court to consider reasonable bail for his client because “he never intended to run away.”
The lawyer said that during the trial it will be revealed that his failure to report the matter was justifiable. He attempted to offer assurances to the Magistrate, saying that if granted reasonable bail, his client will present himself for trial when necessary.
Coddett beseeched the court to consider Ramai was never in court for any matter of this nature and that the offences which Ramai are charged for are bailable offences.
Meanwhile, State Prosecutor, Inspector Joel Ricknauth stated that he would not object to Ramai being granted his pre-trial liberty but asked for conditions to be attached to bail.
Ricknauth made a request for the accused man’s passport to be lodged and that he reports to Traffic Sergeant Small at the East La Penitence Police Station.
As the bail discussion was in progress, the wife of the victim Marissa McPherson stepped forth and asked to address the Magistrate. She said that “(Attorney) Nigel Hughes will be prosecuting for us. We didn’t know that the matter was going to be called today.”
She was however informed by Magistrate Latchman that usually when a lawyer is seeking to represent the victim, the attorney will have to be granted permission by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Continuing, the Prosecutor requested three weeks to complete their investigation. He indicated that the file is incomplete and it also has to be sent to the DPP for advice.
In response, the presiding Magistrate honoured the Prosecution’s request and scheduled the matter to be called on March 27 for statements.
She set bail to the tune of $30,000 each for failing to stop his vehicle, failing to render assistance to the injured McPherson, as well as failing to report the accident within the allowed time.
Ramai was slapped with $2M bail for the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Latchman indicated to the accused that he must report to the Traffic Sergeant every Friday at 9:00 hours.
“If any Friday is a national holiday you are still obligated to report to the said Traffic Sergeant Small,” she sternly instructed.

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