For accident victims like Orlando London, the wheels of justice are turning slowly.
London, 27, is a former delivery man for Royal Castle, who was the victim of a hit-and-run in October of last year.
Stabroek News spoke with London during a visit to Male Surgical Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital that was organised by the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) as part of its activities for Road Safety Month.
London recounted that he had been on duty in the vicinity of Norton and Cemetery Road when he was hit from behind and pitched into a trench, leaving him unconscious. He said after the accident, his property had been looted and whoever was responsible had stripped his motorcycle, leaving only the frame behind.
Hurt and distress clouded his face as he explained that his leg had been broken in four places as a result of the impact and he has been unable to work since then.
London’s visit to the hospital yesterday was his seventh trip to treat an open wound on his leg. He was told he has a bone infection. He shared that his wife and sister are now his financial and emotional support.
According to London, yesterday’s visit from the traffic ranks who were part of the GNRSC tour, was the first he has received since an initial visit last year, when police came and requested his licence for the investigation. He has heard nothing of the matter since then.
Also in the hospital was Wayne Reynolds, who was still suffering from the effects of an accident that he says claimed the life of his father two years ago.
Reynolds, 52, was one of the passengers traveling in a Route 44 minibus when it collided head on with a Tundra in the vicinity of Mon Repos in February, 2013. The driver of the Tundra, a 17-year-old, had been charged with two counts of causing of death by dangerous driving. Reynolds said he is oblivious to the status of the investigation.
The minibus driver, Godfrey Gilbert Daniels, of Berbice, and Beterverwagting teacher Shondel Alana Yaw, both succumbed that night.
Though Reynolds’ father was not killed that night, the man, Eldon Reynolds, 75, died one month later. According to Reynold’s, who has been in the hospital yet again for about a month now, he is still suffering from the effects of the accident. He explained that he is currently experiencing back and chest pains and is receiving medical attention for a dislocated hip. Reynolds has not been able to return to his mining job in the interior since the accident.
Assistant Superinten-dent Henry, who was present during the tour, said that it is an annual activity the Traffic Department undertakes for Road Safety Month. During the activity, it visits accident victims with the intention of following up on traffic accident cases, to assess their conditions and assess the status of investigations.
He revealed that although this is an annual activity, the investigating officers related to the matters in the respective jurisdictions are tasked with following up these cases after road accidents have occurred.
