Charges against the driver who struck down William Nurse and Lelita Khedoo two Sundays ago are still being decided on as police are waiting for the incapacitated victims to visit the scene of the accident to continue investigations.
Traffic Officer of ‘A’ Division Ramesh Ashram told Stabroek News recently that the police are awaiting the discharge of the patients so that they can revisit the scene of the accident and collect statements from them. Observers have said that the police should not require the injured to visit the site but rely on their statements.
Nurse was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) on Monday and he is being accommodated by his sister at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, while Khedoo remains admitted.
The man’s sister Diana said that Nurse is bedridden and unable to walk or take care of himself.
The man sustained spinal injuries while his pelvic bone was also injured and several of his ribs were fractured. He was also bleeding internally and sustained other lacerations about his body.
Diana said a police officer had called and asked for her brother to travel to Georgetown so that the police can take a statement from him. However, she said she could not afford a taxi which would cost her $10,000 for a return trip from Land of Canaan, as she is already burdened with supplying him with diapers and other needs he has. In addition, the woman said, she also has the responsibility to care for Nurse’s minor child, as the child’s mother is deceased.
Diana said the police officer told her that he will have to seek his boss’s permission to visit the residence to take the statement. Up to press time yesterday no one had visited Nurse.
The man’s sister also said that her brother could not recall the driver offering to have the matter settled, nor could he recall saying that to a reporter. Noting that he would often lapse into unconsciousness, Diana said the conversation with the reporter may have been conducted while Nurse wasn’t fully conscious, as he has no recollection of it.
The driver had visited Nurse at the hospital as well as at Diana’s home, but the woman said relatives are not aware of any discussion in relation to compensation being offered.
“I just hope that this system is not like what it was before Granger win, because it look like the same thing,” the woman opined as she wondered whether the system was still marred with corruption and might deny them justice. “It look like a merry go round like what used to always happen,” the woman said.
When Stabroek News visited Khedoo at the hospital, she complained of tremendous pains and said she is devastated at her condition as she has five children to provide for whom she single-handedly supported.
“Is my girl children I worry about most because the boy dem go manage… I don’t want advantage to take none a meh daughter them,” a distressed Khedoo said.
The woman said that at the time of the accident she lost her month’s salary and a cellphone while her dentures were also broken.
She said the driver also visited her at the hospital but did not offer her any form of compensation.
At the moment the mother of five said, she is in need of financial assistance and would not have a problem accepting compensation from the driver in order to be able to provide for her children.
Khedoo’s children ages 10 to 16 years old are being accommodated by her sister.
The woman said that she and her husband separated about six years ago after he became an alcoholic.
Khedoo, who had a prior injury to one of her legs, which left it twisted, said that since the incident the injured leg became very weak and cannot support her as before.
She and Nurse were hit down on August 30, at East and Lamaha streets. At the time Khedoo was being towed by Nurse on a pedal cycle when a car which was reportedly driven by a presidential guard crashed into them. They were both pitched into a nearby trench and were unconscious when they were picked up and rushed to the GPH.
