Lawrence Carmichael, the police corporal who was driving the force’s vehicle in pursuit of a young driver that led to the deadly four-vehicle accident at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara on February 02, 2022, will be charged.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said in a statement that the police file was returned to the police with legal advice on Monday.
“Based on the statements contained in the police file, legal advice has been given for the police to institute the indictable charge for the offence of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving,” the statement noted.
The DPP also ordered that a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) is conducted since the charge is an indictable one.
Additionally, the DPP instructed that further investigations are conducted and that the police file should be returned to the Chambers for further legal advice by March 7, 2022.
Christopher Bhagwandat, 20, and his 16-year-old girlfriend Shereeda Persaud were killed in the horrific accident.
The young couple was in motorcar PNN 8852 when Bhagwandat was stopped by traffic ranks along the Perseverance Public Road, Mahaicony, Region Five. Bhagwandat was asked to pull over by the ranks but instead drove away.
As a result, a police patrol van gave chase behind the young man and his girlfriend, resulting in the horrific accident.
Several other persons were also injured in the accident including three police officers.
Persaud of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice was a student of the Bush Lot Secondary School and was registered to write 11 subjects at this year’s CSEC exams.
The teen’s death has devastated her entire family and community; she was the only daughter for her parents.
The young woman was the Minister of Home Affairs during the 2021 Youth Parliament. Her presentation at the Youth Parliament was on road safety where she pleaded with road users to follow the law.
Meanwhile, Bhagwandat was the only child for his mother, and five months before he died, she also lost her husband.
Bhagwandat of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara left his home on the morning of the accident but did not say where he was going.
His mother said he told her he was going to give her a surprise.
