9 months later, man charged with causing death of Port Mourant teen

Some nine months after a Corentyne teenager passed away as a result of a motor vehicular accident, the man allegedly responsible for the incident has been charged.

Shakir Batson, 25, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice was today charged for causing the death of 18-year-old Jainarine Rampersaud on October 27, 2024.

Rampersaud, formerly of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, was riding a motorcycle with 15-year-old Stephon Verrapen as the pillion rider, when they were allegedly hit by a car at Hampshire, Corentyne, Region Six.

Following the crash, the two teenagers were taken to the Port Morant Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. However, Rampersaud was transferred to the Georgetown Post Public Hospital (GPHC) where some 12 days later, he succumbed to his injuries.

Before Magistrate Michelle Mathias at the Albion Magistrates’ Court, Batson pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $800,000 bail while the case was adjourned to July 15.

It was reported that the driver of the car claimed that he was driving along the Corentyne Highway when the motorcycle, CN 9498, rode up from behind and hit his car, damaging the rear lights in the process.

The driver reportedly said the motorcyclists did not stop and as such, he said he gave chase and eventually caught up with them.

However, Rampersaud had stated from his hospital bed that the rear of the car showed no visible signs of damage, but rather, the front of the car, which hit the motorcycle, was damaged.

Rampersaud’s mother has been repeatedly calling for justice for her son.