Businessman charged with road death of elderly woman

A Mocha businessman was on Thursday charged with the death of 64-year-old Ingrid James, who was struck down and killed while crossing the Herstelling Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) on July 29, 2017.

Cleveland Softleigh of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, EBD appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and denied that on the day in question, he drove motor car PKK 3251 in a dangerous manner to the public which caused the death of James.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves told the court that at about 20:20hrs, the accused drove his vehicle at a fast rate when he collided with the elderly woman who was crossing the road at the time.

The court heard that James’ body was flung some distance due to the impact, during which her left leg was severed; she also sustained injuries to the head and other parts of her body.

James was rushed to the East Bank Demerara Public Hospital in an unconscious state and pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the defendant’s attorney, Leslie Sobers in his bail application told the court that Softleigh is the sole breadwinner for his four children; the prosecutor did not object to bail.

Magistrate Latchman released the businessman on $1M bail and transferred the matter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for December 5, 2017.