Two persons including a taxi driver are now dead following a head-on collision between a car and a truck yesterday afternoon at Port Kaituma, North West District.
Dead are Lennox Jones called ‘Ratty’, a taxi driver of Fitzburg, Port Kaituma and Kim Cato also known as ‘Aunty Kim’ and ‘Sister Kim’, 64, of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma.
They both died on the spot.
Commander of Region #1 (Barima-Waini), Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum confirmed the accident which occurred at 2 pm at Five Miles Trail, Port Kaituma, North West District.
At the time, Jones was the driver of motor car PNN 4932 which was carrying Cato.
The truck, GRR 9394 was driven by James Welcome, 31. Welcome sustained minor injuries.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the accident occurred as a result of a race between two motor cars: PNN 4932 and hire car, HD 245.
Investigations, this newspaper was told, revealed that at the time of the accident, the truck was proceeding north along the western side of the trail, going up a hill while motor car, PNN 4932 was proceeding south, allegedly at a fast rate of speed on the western side.
Whilst climbing the hill, it is alleged that Jones was racing with the hire car causing him to collide head-on with the truck.
Blanhum said the drivers of the truck and hire car are assisting the police with investigations.
This newspaper was reliably informed that Cato was returning from Matthews Ridge where she had attended a court hearing for her brother who is currently facing a murder charge.
She hired Jones to transport her.
As news of the accident spread, persons known to the dead duo expressed their shock on Facebook.
They are both well-known individuals in the community. Jones is said to have moved to Port Kaituma recently while Kato is said to be actively engaged in church.
