A 29-year-old police corporal was yesterday charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and several other traffic offences in connection with the incident that claimed the lives of Akeem Burgess and Collis Bristol.
Shareef Mohamed appeared before the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was also charged with failing to stop after an accident, failing to render assistance, operating an uncertified motor vehicle and failing to report an accident.
Mohamed was granted bail of $750,000 on each of the causing death by dangerous driving charges and $10,000 on each of the remaining offences. The matter was adjourned to July 29.
On Wednesday, samples were taken from the bodies of both deceased men for DNA testing.
Meanwhile, relatives of the two men have continued to question the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident and are calling for justice.
Latony Burgess, sister of Akeem Burgess, told Kiskadee Watch that her brother was the father of three children, including a two-month-old infant. She said the family was distressed by the circumstances of his death and questioned why the officer allegedly fled the scene.
She also raised concerns about the condition of the motorcycle involved in the collision, contending that it appeared inconsistent with the severity of the injuries sustained by the victims.
A post-mortem examination found that Burgess died from multiple injuries.
“It is impossible for the bike to be intact and both of their bodies to be in that state. We need answers. My brother meant so much to us; he was the head of the house. My mother is still trying to accept this. If my brother died in an accident, how come the bike is okay? It should have been written off. Something is not right. We want justice,” she said.
Relatives of 39-year-old Bristol have voiced similar concerns.
His mother, Shelly Bristol, told Kiskadee Watch that when she visited the scene she observed that the motorcycle appeared largely intact, with only minor damage to the left side, including a bent mirror and handlebar.
She said her son had been carrying a shoulder bag containing cash, a cellphone and a pair of sunglasses. According to her, none of the items appeared to have been damaged despite the severity of the injuries he sustained.
“If Collis died by accident, how come the motorbike only had a dent on the left side, with the light, mirror and handle slightly twisted? My son had a side bag. The sunglasses in the bag, the cellphone in the bag—not even a crack. The bag didn’t get a scratch. Everything is intact,” she said.
Mohamed, who is attached to the Annandale Police Outpost, was arrested in connection with the June 28 accident along the Railway Embankment between Clonbrook and Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara.
According to an earlier police release, Assistant Superintendent Massay and Sergeant Caleb, acting on information received, went to Lot 25 Riverview Housing Scheme, Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, where they contacted Mohamed.
Police said Mohamed is the registered owner of motor car PAK 1593, which investigators observed had damage consistent with a vehicular collision.
When questioned about the damage, Mohamed told investigators that he had lost control of the vehicle on the Unity Access Road, Mahaica, at about 9.20 pm on June 29, causing it to end up in a trench.
Police said that after receiving the explanation, the ranks returned to the Cove and John Police Station as investigations continued.
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