Bus driver on $1M bail for causing death of Chinese national

A minibus driver who allegedly caused the death of a Chinese national on March, 2023, was on Friday charged and placed on $1 million bail.

Police Headquarters on Sunday said the accused, Godfrey  Collins, a resident of Middle Walk, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court.

The 34-year-old man was charged with causing the death of Gao Zhen Jin by dangerous driving which occurred on March 15, 2023, at the Timehri public road, East Bank Demerara.

The matter was adjourned to November 24, 2023.

Gao Zhen Jin, a Chinese national attached to R. Bassoo Building and Civil Engineering Contracting, reportedly died at about about 19:30 hrs after the Route 44 minibus, BYY 7852, ploughed through a fence in the vicinity of the roundabout close to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The bus was reportedly speeding in the eastern direction along the northern side of the public road. The driver failed to slow down and turn left, and instead drove straight across the road into the R. Bassoo compound. As a result, the minibus collided with Jin, who was standing in front of the building.

The Chinese national was rushed to the Diamond Hospital in an unconscious condition where he was pronounced dead.