A 25-year-old taxi-driver died early yesterday after his car collided with a canter truck on the Versailles, West Bank Demerara public road.

Levi Seecharran

Dead is Levi Seecharran of Lot 16 Ruimzeight Gardens, West Coast Demerara. The father of one was heading to work at the Gem’s Taxi Service base in Georgetown when the incident happened shortly after 5 am. He reportedly died on the spot.

The incident occurred at a turn on the Versailles Public Road just opposite the Aracari Resort. Seecharran was driving his car, HB 5633, in a southern direction while the canter, GLL 8336 was heading in the opposite direction. According to reports, at the turn, the canter had moved across to Seecharran’s lane and as he attempted to avoid the truck, they collided. Seecharran’s car was smashed while the truck also suffered some damage. Seecharran was transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the canter and the owner, who was also said to be in the truck at the time, left the scene. They later turned themselves in to the police and were taken into custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police station, where the driver remained up to yesterday.

The dead man’s brother, Ragindranauth Tribuhan told Stabroek News that Seecharran had left home at 5:10 as he had to pick up someone and take them to Parika. He stated the man left early because the Demerara Harbour Bridge was scheduled to be closed to traffic at 5:30am. Tribuhan recalled that at 5:50am, he received a call relating that his brother was involved in an accident and he had died. He said that he was asked to go to the hospital to identify the body.

The car and the truck at the Vreed-en-Hoop police station after the crash yesterday.

Grieving family members gathered at the home yesterday, lamenting Seecharran’s untimely death. He had been married for two years and was the father of a nine-month-old boy.  Relatives disclosed that it was just a week ago that he started working with the taxi service and only on Sunday was he allowed to take the car home. Seecharran is also survived by his parents, who live in the North-West District, five brothers, three sisters and other relatives. Police are continuing their investigations. (Gaulbert Sutherland)