Berbice driver gets bail for causing death of boy, 9 

Nearly six months following the tragic death of nine-year-old Avenash Charam, of Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice, legal proceedings have commenced. The young boy lost his life as a result of a collision involving two vehicles.

On Wednesday, Curtis Cort, aged 21, who resides at Lot 1429 Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, was formally charged in relation to this incident.

Cort made his appearance before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The courtroom proceedings unfolded with the prosecution opting not to object to granting bail. As a result, Magistrate Mohabir adjudicated that bail be set at $500,000, imposing specific conditions that Cort must report to the Sisters Police Station monthly.

Additionally, his driver’s license has been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

The legal proceedings are set to advance, with the case adjourned until February 27, 2025, for the exchange of statements and the scheduling of further fixtures.

Reports are that on Friday, August 29, 2024, at about 01:45 hrs the accident occurred on Armadale Public Road West Coast Berbice.

Cort was driving motor car # PAE 3462 eastward when he attempted to negotiate a left bend and collided with motor car # PAG 3611, driven by Jose, 31, of Lot 3 Portuguese Quarter, Corentyne Berbice.

The latter vehicle had passengers Jeffrey Mootoo, Lachman Charam, and Avenash and Poran Charam, aged 17, all from the same address, and was traveling in the opposite direction. The collision resulted in injuries to both drivers and the passengers.

The individuals were extricated from the vehicles and transported to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where they were examined by a doctor.

Avinash Charam was diagnosed with a fractured right leg, and the driver of Motor car #PAG 3611, Jose Teixeira, had fractured right ribs. Both were referred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital in stable condition, while other passengers received treatment and were discharged.

Subsequently, Avinash succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical care.