An unlicensed driver, who was reportedly learning how to drive, crashed into a group of persons at the corner of Broad and Ketley streets yesterday, fatally hitting one man and injuring another.

John France

John France, 57, of Henry Street, Charlestown, died while in surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital last night.  France also known as `Bird’ suffered broken ribs and massive internal injuries, according to relatives, who said last night that “he was hurt real bad”.
Anthony Paul, age 21 years of Ketley Street, was also injured. His left leg was shattered in the accident and he was also complaining of a severe pain in the head. Doctors treated Paul and sent him away last night.

Up to press time last night the driver, a young female, could not be located. The woman was believed to have suffered injuries and had reportedly gone to a private hospital to seek treatment, but France’s relatives combed the city hospitals and came up empty.

According to France’s relatives, the police are looking for the young driver, but made no initial attempts to arrest her since she was reported as being injured. The car involved in the accident is at a city station.

Eyewitnesses reported that the car, which the woman was driving, “folded up” in front after the smash-up. They said that she was learning how to drive at the time and was on Broad Street when she attempted to turn into Ketley Street, and lost control of the vehicle.

“The car slammed into that house with such impact the sound shake de street, honestly”, an eyewitness told Stabroek News while pointing to the house where the car ended up.

There was a visible dent in the zinc sheeting at the front of the house.

Paul recalled “hanging out” with friends at a corner house when the accident occurred. He told this newspaper at the hospital last night that it was sometime after 5 pm and a fairly large group had converged on the corner as part of a usual afternoon lime.

Paul remembered seeing the car passing the group, but paid no real attention because he was deep in conversation with France. He recalled being hit and going down within seconds of the impact, but was unaware that France was also injured until he was being dashed to the hospital.

“I see `Bird’ lying on the road but I ain’t know what happen to he”, Paul said.

Eyewitnesses said that the driver of the vehicle came out after the accident and helped France into another car which transported him to the hospital. She accompanied him to the hospital, but left as soon as he was rushed into the Accident and Emergency Department.

France’s relatives were stunned by his death and lamented the manner in which he died. One relative spoke of the increasing road fatalities saying that drivers are not paying heed to traffic rules.

Paul’s mother, Sandra Paul said she personally knew France and was saddened to learn that he passed away. She said that her son was also seriously injured and that he “was lucky to be alive”. She also decried the accident saying that people are using the roadways without any care and caution.

France, who was described as jovial, lived alone and had no children. His relatives saw him on Tuesday last and recalled that he had spent an exciting few hours in their company. The relatives who spoke with this newspaper were unable to contain their emotions.