Van driver faces charge of death by reckless driving

A charge of death by reckless driving has been laid against Fountain resident Richard Bardoo, following the death of nine-year-old Cunjah Browne, who was a passenger in a minivan Bardoo was driving.{{more}}

Bardoo, 29, appeared at the Serious Offences Court yesterday and was granted bail in the sum of $25,000, with one surety. He was not allowed to plea to the indictable charge.

As part of his bail conditions, Bardoo was ordered to surrender his travel documents and an order for stop notices to be placed at all ports of exit and entry was made. He is also not allowed to leave the state without permission from the court.

According to reports, sometime after 3 p.m. on Monday, October 19, the Toyota Hiace minivan HN113, driven by Bardoo, travelling from Block 2000 to Redemption Sharpes via the Lodge Village public road, struck and ran over six-year-old female pedestrian Gabriel James, who was on the road outside the Lodge Village Government School.

After striking the girl, the van is said to have swerved and the head of the boy, which, according to eye witnesses, was sticking out of the back left-hand window of the minivan, struck an electricity pole on the left side of the road. Cunjah, who was a pupil of the Lodge Village Government School, sustained severe head and neck injuries and died on the spot.

Up to press time, the six-year-old girl was still a patient at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

Bardoo is being represented by counsel Duane Daniel. The matter was adjourned to January 26 for hearing.