More than two weeks after the Annandale hit-and-run accident which claimed the life of a teen and left his friend critically injured, the police are yet to locate the driver who is suspected to have fled the country.
Contacted for an update yesterday, Traffic Chief Linden Isles told Stabroek News that the police are continuing their hunt for the driver.
A few days after the accident, a minibus, which is suspected to be the vehicle used in the accident, was impounded after it was found covered in a yard at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
A woman who occupied the premises was taken into custody and she provided the police with an identification and address of a man, suspected to be the driver. However, the man, who is said to be a Chinese businessman of Vigilance, ECD, is yet to be apprehended.
It is believed that he has fled to neighbouring Suriname. When asked if local police have contacted their overseas counterparts seeking assistance in locating the driver, Isles yesterday expressed doubts while saying he is not aware of such information. The accident which had occurred on Sunday, December 9, claimed the life of 15-year-old Khemraj, called ‘Ajay,’ who is said to have been a horse cart operator of Lot 44 Annandale West, East Coast Demerara.His friend, Reaz Shaw, a trainee mechanic of Lot 35 Annandale West, ECD remained in a critical condition.
He is warded in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Khemraj succumbed while receiving medical attention at the facility.
The teenagers, the police said, rode out of a northern access road onto the public road and the white Toyota ‘Pitbull’ minibus, which was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the said road, collided with the bicycle.
As a result, both teens fell on the roadway and sustained head injuries.
The accident was recorded by nearby surveillance cameras, which showed that the teens were struck from behind.
The Chinese Association of Guyana who are being represented by Attorney James Bond have also approached the families offering a quantity of cash in remorse at the incident but they have refused. Bond had previously told Stabroek News that the money is not being offered to settle the matter but rather out of remorse. This, he had also said would not interfere with the usual investigation of the matter. Attorney Anil Nandlall, who resides in Annandale has since offered the families pro bono service.
