A driver of a pick-up, who fled after he struck down and killed a Stabroek Market butcher on Tuesday night, is now in custody after an eyewitness gave his licence plate number to police.
Eldon Smartt, called ‘Sono Boy,’ 46, of Lot 51 Robb Street, Bourda died at the junction of Middleton Street and Campbell Avenue, Campbellville, before he could have been rushed to Georgetown Hospital for medical attention.
Police said in a press release yesterday that ranks are investigating the fatal accident, which occurred around 6:30pm.
Investigations revealed that Smartt was proceeding along Middleton Street when he was struck down by motor pick-up GHH 7057, which was proceeding along Campbell Avenue and “allegedly drove across the road into the path of the pedal cyclist.”According to police, Smartt was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while the pick-up driver is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
A resident told Stabroek News that when the accident occurred, the “place was still bright.” He recalled that he was in his house when he heard a noise and on investigating he saw a man lying at the side of the road just over Campbell Avenue. The resident said the man’s body was shaking and a crowd of persons gathered. According to the resident, it was rush hour and there was a long line of vehicles in front of his house waiting to cross over Middleton Street. He said that after hitting the pedal cycle, the driver of the pick-up drove off but a motorcyclist managed to trail him and record his licence plate number. The resident said this information was handed over to the police, who arrived at the scene and took Smartt to the hospital.
Meanwhile Smartt’s relatives expressed anger at the way in which he died.
“How could somebody do something like dat? Just lef he on the road like a dog? He [the driver] gone to he family and I know he got a family. Tell me how he gon feel knowing that and then go home and hug up he family?” a woman who indentified herself as Smartt’s niece said angrily.
Relatives said the driver had a responsibility to stop and render assistance before appealing for justice.
April Smartt told reporters that her brother, who has been a butcher “all his life,” left home around 5:30pm to take a regulator to his boss’s Railway Line, Kitty home. She said he had almost reached his destination when he was killed.
It was a neighbour, April recalled, who was passing at the time of the accident and recognised Smartt and immediately informed them. She and other relatives left for the scene but when they arrived he had been moved and they were told that Smartt had no pulse. April said when she later saw her brother’s body at the hospital, she noticed bruises on both hands. She said there were no other signs of injuries.
Relatives said Smartt was a quiet, easy-going person who never went looking for trouble.
Meanwhile, persons living near the accident scene yesterday appealed for traffic lights and a street light at the junction. One resident said that every week there is an accident at that corner, while adding that this is the first known fatality.
He said that Middleton Street is the “right of way” but motorists are always in a hurry and don’t want to wait their turn. He noted too that at nights the area is dark.
Another resident said that the traffic department needs to urgently look into that particular junction and come up with suggestions to reduce accidents.
