A 66-year-old man, of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, died on Thursday morning after a car that was reportedly speeding slammed into him as he was riding on the public road.
Latchman Sukhu, a Rural Constable also known as “Uncle Blacks” and “Cecil,” of Lot 186 Mibicuri North, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, was rushed to the Mibicuri Public Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival.
Relatives told Stabroek News that Sukhu, a father of three, sustained severe head injuries and a broken foot.
The driver of the car, a 35-year-old stall holder, of Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice, was taken into police custody on Thursday.
A police statement on the accident noted that the car, HB 8230, was allegedly proceeding along the Mibicuri public road at a fast rate around 9.40 am when it collided with Sukhu, who allegedly rode out from a street. It was noted that a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and no alcohol was detected in his breath.
Janet Sukhu, 65, said her husband left home around 8 am and was heading to work at the Mibicuri Police Station. “I help him pack his bag and go set the hose on the barrel and he ride off to go work but then I hear the neighbours start scream. I didn’t know was him,” she said. “I thought the car just hit he bicycle but then the neighbour screaming, so I asked her to tell me what happen and she say ‘Uncle Sukhu gone,’” she added.
Eyewitnesses told the man’s family that the car hit him, pitching him up into the sky, and that it appeared as if he hit his head when he landed.
The widow noted that persons would often speed on the main public road and that her husband, whom she described as an “educated neighbourhood police,” would warn them to be careful and follow the laws of the road.
“I heard he [the driver of the car] was coming in to collect he sick child to take out,” she said. “But if he wasn’t speeding he might a just knock me husband lil bit and he nah woulda die.
Whatever the situation, they have to be careful and not speed,” the grieving woman added, while noting that the police promised her she would get justice.
Sukhu described her husband as being “one of a kind.” “Me had stroke and I can’t do much for myself, me and he alone does live and he does help me do everything,” she said.
The couple would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Janet Sukhu said it now pains her to know her husband is not alive to reach the “milestone” with her.
The woman said her husband loved his job. “He never wanted to leave, he went UG and so to study and come back, he does do all them paper work for them,” she noted.
Meanwhile, relatives and neighbours all stated that more emphasis needs to be placed on road safety in Black Bush Polder. Neighbours of the Sukhus stated that they feel it is time for the police to maintain a daily presence on the Black Bush Polder main access road.
Stabroek News has noticed many times, teens and adults riding motorcycles without helmets. When asked if they are not afraid of being arrested, the usual answer is, “This is Black Bush.”
