Driver Fitzroy Aulder Charged with Manslaughter for Killing Policewoman at Roadblock

Kaieteur News – Fitzroy Aulder, a 44-year-old driver from Front Road East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he was officially charged with manslaughter. This charge comes after Aulder tragically struck and killed a policewoman at a roadblock in Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara last week.

Slapped with a motor manslaughter charge for killing a policewoman at a roadblock, Fitzroy Aulder

During the court appearance before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool, Aulder entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. However, he was remanded to prison until December 15, 2023. The fatal incident occurred last Thursday around 10:00 pm when Aulder, driving a Jeep with registration number PVV 8278, ran a red traffic light near the Beterverwating Police Station. His vehicle collided with two police women, killing one officer instantly and leaving the other in critical condition.

Following the accident, Aulder underwent a breathalyzer test administered by the police, which revealed a blood alcohol level of 67 percent—significantly above the legal limit. The deceased officer was identified as Constable Annette Abel, while her injured colleague was identified as Inspector Shenay Castello.

According to reports from the police, Castello and Abel, along with other officers, were conducting traffic duties at a roadblock in front of the Beterverwagting Police Station when tragedy struck. Castello was reportedly in charge of the roadblock, with support from Abel, Corporal Keshan Collins, Lance Corporal Jenella Jonas, Constable Brian Tappin, and Constable Wayne Daniels.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Abel had just pulled over two vehicles as part of a routine traffic stop when Aulder disregarded the red light at the junction of Republic Drive and the public road. Aulder crashed through a line of traffic cones set up at the roadblock, ultimately colliding with the two officers.

Tragically, Abel was pinned between Aulder’s vehicle and one of the cars she had pulled over. As a result, Aulder’s jeep overturned, causing injuries to himself and his passengers. In the ensuing chaos, the car that Abel was pinned to collided with another vehicle that she had stopped. The second car also struck one of the drivers, Inspector Castello, and several other officers.

An ambulance was immediately called to the scene, and Constable Abel was pronounced dead on arrival. The injured individuals were swiftly transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for urgent medical attention. Aulder was promptly apprehended by the authorities.

This is not the first time Aulder has faced serious charges related to reckless driving. In 2015, he was accused of causing the death of Romel Junor on Durban Street while driving a minibus in a reckless manner. Aulder was charged and remanded to prison at that time. His defense lawyer consistently argued that Junor was responsible for his own demise due to his intoxicated state. Aulder claimed that the pedestrian had walked into his path.

Witnesses testified that Junor had indeed left a bar in a heavily intoxicated state just moments before the accident occurred. Eventually, Aulder was acquitted of all charges after the magistrate found him not guilty.

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