Kerwin Ward, a 36-year-old construction worker of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, yesterday appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul where he was charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving following a serious accident involving Arnold Padmore who succumbed on April 27.

Ward pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Enquiries revealed that around 5:30 am on October 24, 2022, a car, PSS 4126, owned and operated by Ward was proceeding east along the Anna Catherina Public Road, West Coast Demerara, at a fast rate when he lost control, collided with two cars HD

3279, and PPP 8734, and an unregistered lorry that were all parked on the parapet of the same road.

As a result of the collision, Padmore, 37, of Lot 30 Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara, who occupied the front passenger seat of Ward’s car, sustained injuries. He was taken out of the vehicle in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was treated for head injuries and a fractured left leg. Meanwhile, Ward was also treated and sent away.

At around 8:30 am the same day, Padmore was transferred by his relatives to Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown with his condition regarded as critical.

He succumbed to his injuries on 27th April, 2023 while bedridden at home.

A Breathalyzer test was conducted on Ward and the result showed that he had 16 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.

Ward was granted bail in the sum of $400,000. His next scheduled court appearance is on January 11, 2024.