Elderly cyclist succumbs after Mandela Ave collision

Joseph Richards
after the accident
Joseph Richards after the accident

Joseph Richards, the elderly pedal cyclist who was hit down on October 3rd on Mandela Avenue and Arapaima Street, Georgetown, succumbed to his injuries 10 days after and police are moving to obtain legal advice on a possible charge.

Richards, 71, died before regaining consciousness while in the critical bay of the George-town Public Hospital (GPH).

When contacted, Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram told Stabroek News that the case file was being prepared to be sent for legal advice.

Police previously said they were investigating an accident involving Richards, who was a resident of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, and a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officer stationed at Camp Ayanganna.

Police enquiries disclosed that a car, driven by the GDF officer, was proceeding south along Mandela Avenue when, according to the driver, at the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Arapaima Street, the pedal cyclist rode from west to east across Mandela Avenue and collided with the right side of the front of the vehicle. As a result of the collision, the cyclist fell onto the road surface, where he suffered injuries to his head and body.  He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the driver, and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted a patient in the critical bay.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the vehicle and no alcohol content was detected in his breath.