Thirty-five-year-old Aarvindra Singh was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with causing the death of head teacher Sonia Williams by dangerous driving.
Singh, of Lot 174 Hampshire Village, Corentyne, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.
He was charged with driving motor car PJJ 7624 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of the 51-year-old Williams. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
Singh was also charged with failing to stop after the accident and failing to render assistance. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
His attorney, Charlyn Artiga, requested bail. Artiga told the court that Singh had provided police with a video and audio-recorded interview in which he gave his account of the accident. According to the attorney, Singh maintained that he was not speeding, under the influence of alcohol or overtaking another vehicle when the collision occurred.
Artiga said that, based on her client’s instructions, Williams was attempting to open the door of her vehicle when she was struck and Singh could not have avoided the collision.
Police Sergeant Collin Clarke, who prosecuted, objected to bail on the ground that Singh was a flight risk. Clarke told the court that Singh had fled the scene and failed to report the accident to the police. He alleged that Singh subsequently took the vehicle to a workshop to have the damage repaired.
The prosecutor said Williams was struck and thrown approximately three to four feet from her vehicle.
According to Clarke, Williams’s car was parked completely off the public road when Singh’s vehicle ventured into proximity.
Clarke informed the court that the case file was complete, but Williams’s post-mortem examination report remained outstanding.
In denying bail, Magistrate Hardy considered the seriousness of the charge and Singh’s alleged conduct after the collision, including his failure to report the matter and the decision to take the vehicle to a workshop.
Singh was remanded to prison until October 20, when the matter will be called again.
Police previously said that Williams was struck shortly after 3.21 pm on September 14 while her car, PAK 5566, was stationary on the southern side of the Rose Hall Town Public Road.
According to police, Williams was attempting to open the right front door when the westbound white motor car driven by Singh collided with her and the door.
Singh allegedly drove away following the collision.
Williams sustained injuries about her body. She was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she died while receiving treatment.
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