No reflectors on the road before Kuru Kuru fatal accident

-drivers

The area along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, where Kuru Kuru farmer Rudolph Joseph was killed on Sunday, did not have reflectors before the accident.

Rudolph Joseph

Joseph, 39, of Kuru Kuru, was struck by the jeep at Swan Turn, Kuru Kuru, on Sunday evening, after the driver reportedly lost control of the jeep.

Following Sunday’s accident, the lawyer for the driver, Vic Puran, had told Joseph’s family that his client was not to be blamed but rather BK International, which is currently undertaking road works in the area. Puran told the family that it was the fault of the contractor who did not have any reflector on the road.

A minibus driver, who plies the Linden/Soesdyke route, yesterday told Stabroek News that construction has been on going at the area where Joseph was hit down and there were no reflectors on the road at night. He said that there were signs warning of construction but stated that reflectors were added after the accident. This was corroborated by two other drivers of the route, who stated that they did not recall reflectors on the road during the time of construction.

Further, one of the drivers added that he was passed by the driver of the jeep. According to the bus driver, the man passed him speeding.

Stabroek News understands that charges will be brought up against the driver, who is being held at the Timehri Police Outpost.

Meanwhile, the bus driver added that while he welcomed the reflectors on the road now, there should be reflectors all along the Highway which does not have any lights.

Joseph was going to a shop in one mile Kuru Kuru when he was hit by the jeep which then lost control and turned turtle. The man was being accompanied by his sister and other relatives when the accident occurred around 7:15 pm.

Judy Joseph, the dead man’s mother, said that yesterday she went to the Amerindian Ministry to seek assistance in the burial of her son. She said she was told by the secretary that she should return with the post mortem report the following day and she will receive assistance. The post mortem is scheduled for today.

The woman told Stabroek News she went to the Ministry after the driver who was involved in the accident told her that he was willing to assist her but cannot since he was going on the advice of his lawyer.

Joseph’s family cannot afford to bury him. His mother said that the cost of his funeral was given as $120,000 and all she wants is for his wife and children to be compensated by the driver. Joseph was said to be a quiet hard working person who looked after his family.

He was the eldest of six children and leaves to mourn his wife of 13 years and four children who are six, four, two and nine-months old.