Police witness testifies in trial of driver accused of causing traffic cop’s death

Aug 12, 2016 News

Police Traffic Corporal Ronald Payne was on duty at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, East Bank Demerara,

DEAD: Nakosi La Fleur

when he received information that Constable Nakosi La Fleur was involved in a motor vehicle accident at Eccles.
Payne, who is stationed at the Providence Police Station, related this when he was called to testify in the trial of Ron Cole, 40, of 215 Blueberry Hill, Linden. Cole is accused of causing the death of Constable La Fleur by dangerous driving on April 11, last.
The trial commenced on Wednesday before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Police Inspector Kevin London is representing the prosecution.
Corporal Payne testified that after he received information about the accident, he proceeded to Eccles.
He said that on arrival, he spoke with several persons in relation to the accident, but they refused to give their names. Payne added that he later travelled to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he observed Constable La Fleur lying on a stretcher waiting to be seen by a doctor.
“I observed his shirt and pants were torn in several places. He had abrasions about his body and he was shouting as if he was in pain.”
The police witness testified that he asked the injured policeman to explain how the accident had occurred, but received no useful information. Payne related that La Fleur was subsequently taken into the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit by hospital attendants.
Payne stated, “I then left the Georgetown Hospital and went to the Providence Police Station, where I made contact with (Ron Cole) the driver of motor vehicle GRR 9355.”

CHARGED: Ron Cole

Payne recounted that Cole told him that he was driving the motor pickup proceeding north in the western lane at Eccles Public Road. He related that Cole told him he saw a policeman dressed in uniform walk from east to west into the path of the vehicle.
According to the witness, Cole stated that he immediately applied brakes, but despite his efforts, the left side front portion of the vehicle collided with the policeman. Payne recounted that Cole told him La Fleur fell onto the road and he stopped his vehicle and rendered assistance.
A breathalyzer test, the witness added, was performed on Cole and he was found to be below the prescribed limit. A notice of intent to prosecute was prepared in duplicates by a police constable and a copy was served on Cole, Payne recalled.
Payne stated that on April 14, he went back to the scene of the accident with Cole and La Fleur. He said both men explained how the accident occurred and also showed him the point of impact. The witness told the court that after Cole was released on station bail, he received information that La Fleur died after he was taken back to the GPHC having complained of feeling unwell.
This trial has been adjourned until Monday for the tendering of an accident booklet and La Fleur’s post mortem examination report.