Son laments passing of father in Carifesta Avenue smash-up

A son of the man who died in the horrific Carifesta Avenue crash on Wednesday believes his father would have been alive today if the soldier driving a speeding car had been careful.

Linden Eastman of Prashad Nagar, a truck driver attached to an Eccles, East Bank Demerara distribution centre died on Wednesday night when the Canter he was driving, GSS 8563 was involved in a head-on collision with Toyota Premio PRR 9118. The accident which occurred around 9:30 PM also claimed the lives of Guyana Defence Force sergeant, Robert Pyle, the driver of the Premio, and his wife, twenty-six-year-old Stacy Amanda Pyle, a nurse attached to the Davis Memorial Hospital.

Dead: Linden Eastman
Dead: Linden Eastman

Previous reports had revealed that PRR 9118 was heading east along Carifesta Avenue at a fast rate when it attempted to overtake and veered into the lane of oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with the Canter which was heading west.

Pyle was rushed to the hospital and died less than one hour after while the other two victims died on the spot. There are reports that Pyle was engaged in a security operation at the time but there has been no official confirmation.

Speaking to Stabroek New on Saturday, Marlon Agrippa, son of Eastman, explained that he last saw his father alive the Sunday before when he had visited and they had lunch together before he left for a rest.

According to Agrippa, it was on Wednesday night that he received a call from his nephew informing him that his father had been involved in an accident. The grieving son said before he could get to the scene, he received another call informing him that his father perished in the accident and he should visit the Georgetown Public Hospital immediately.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Agrippa recalled identifying the mangled remains of his father. Based on information gathered the man said he understands that his father tried to avoid to collision by attempting to swerve but was unable to do so because the other alternative was the trench.

Eastman who was described as a very hardworking individual leaves to mourn his three children.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on his remains today.