Annandale accident victim succumbs

Oma Devi Persaud, the woman who was struck down at Annandale, East Coast Demerara died on Saturday after being unconscious for 37 days.

Persaud was a patient of the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Hospital at the time of her death.

A man who identified himself as her brother said yesterday that she died some time around 4 pm without a change in her condition. He said he was unable to provide details as the family were preparing to cremate Persaud.

Based on the accounts given to this newspaper, Persaud, a resident of Lot 59 Annandale West was waiting on a bus when a car which was overtaking vehicles slammed into her. The impact hurled the woman into the air and she landed in a nearby drain.

As the car drove off, public-spirited citizens rushed to her assistance and managed to lift the unconscious Persaud onto the roadway. Her brother was informed of the accident and when he arrived on the scene he took her to the hospital. Police acting on information, later arrested the driver, the owner of the car and someone from a body repair shop where the car had been taken and repaired. The driver was later slapped with a number of charges.

Up to late last week when this newspaper checked on Persaud, relatives said she was still in the same position. Her mother Khemrajie had said “I ain’t too fussy about this court case. I just praying that she recovers”.

She had even told this newspaper earlier this month that her daughter was showing signs of improvement as her eyelids would move when they spoke to her and she also reacted to the stroking of the soles of her feet.

Following the accident, the woman spent several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to HDU.

Stabroek News was yesterday unable to ascertain when a causing death by dangerous driving charge would be instituted.