Two persons died on Friday night after they were struck by a car along the Number 70 Village, Corentyne Public Road.
The driver, who fled the scene, was arrested yesterday afternoon in Georgetown, after the damaged vehicle, a Suzuki Escudo jeep bearing licence plate PVV 1015, was located.
The deceased are Tony Lakeram, 20, a carpenter of Number 71 Village, Corentyne, and a female companion, Felicia Fernandes, 28, of Lot 14 Coverden, East Bank Demerara.
The accident occurred around 23:20 hrs.
The police said the driver was proceeding north along the western drive lane of the road at a fast rate of speed when he collided with the two pedestrians, after which it sped away.
Deputy Director of GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit, Stan Gouveia said around 3 pm yesterday that the car had been located and efforts were being made to have it transported to a police station. Furthermore, he added, that the driver of the suspected vehicle had “promised to turn himself in.”
A police source later told Stabroek News that the driver, who is from Number 58 Village, Corentyne, was arrested yesterday afternoon at a house in Kitty, Georgetown.
The police subsequently identified him as Vivendra Ramdharry, 37, of Lot 178 # 69 Village.
They said he was escorted to Region Six.
Additionally, a breathalyser test was conducted on him but no alcohol was found in is breath. Up to last night he was in custody at the Springlands Police Station, where the vehicle was lodged to be examined by a Licensing and Certifying officer.
As a result of being hit both pedestrians were launched to different parts of the main access road. They were later picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.
Several videos were posted on social media on Friday night by residents at the scene and some claimed that Lakeram was still conscious. In one video, several residents could be heard saying that he was still alive while they waited for transportation to take the couple to the hospital.
Lakeram’s aunt, Monica Narine, 47, explained that she received news of the accident just around 10 pm and rushed out to the location. However, her nephew and the woman had already been transported to the hospital.
She said she then ventured over to the hospital where she was told that they both had died. The woman, who had an opportunity to view her nephew’s body, said he seemed to have sustained multiple injuries to his head and about his body.
According to the woman, Lakeram left home on Phagwah morning to take part in celebrations with his friends. She said, “When we go people there said a car hit him and the car drive away.”
