Fatal car crash leads to $350,000 bail for taxi driver

A taxi driver from Mandela Avenue in Georgetown has been charged with dangerous driving. On Tuesday, 27-year-old father of two, Dexroy Fredericks, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Georgetown Magistrates Court, where he pleaded not guilty.

In the incident, which occurred on June 25, 2024, Fredericks is alleged to have driven the rental car HD 1646 in a manner dangerous to the public, resulting in the death of 54-year-old Celus Griffith of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Griffith, a security guard, was riding a bicycle at the time of the accident.

Fredericks' attorney, Stacy Goodings, requested bail, citing her client's clean criminal record. However, the prosecutor denied the request due to the seriousness of the offense and the possibility that the defendant might not appear for trial.
Despite these objections, Judge McGusty granted Fredericks $350,000 bail on the condition that he report to the East La Penitence Police Station on the second and fourth Friday of each month. The case will be retried on October 2, 2024.
The accident occurred at around 10:15 am on the New Mandela – Eccles connecting road, also known as the Heroes Highway.

According to the police report, Fredericks claimed that he was driving car HD 1646 southbound on the eastbound lane when he was suddenly hit by a bicyclist named Griffith.
Fredericks said he braked and swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the car struck the cyclist. Griffith was thrown against the windshield and dragged about 200 feet from the impact site. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fredericks was given a breathalyzer test which showed no traces of alcohol in his system.