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By Mark DaCosta- Two separate road accidents in Berbice and Linden over the weekend have left two pedestrians dead, raising concerns over the increasing number of fatal road incidents in the country.
The first accident occurred on Saturday evening along the Cromarty Public Road in Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Semone Thompson, a resident of Cromarty, lost her life when she was struck by a motorcar. The vehicle involved was a silver motorcar bearing the registration number PHH 4644, driven by a resident of Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
According to initial reports, the tragic incident took place at approximately 20:15 hours. Thompson was attempting to cross the road when she was hit by the oncoming vehicle. The collision was so severe that she was thrown onto the road, suffering multiple injuries to her body. A passing good Samaritan rushed her to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, but unfortunately, she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene immediately after the accident. Police later recovered the vehicle, which is currently stationed at the Whim Police Station for further examination by a licensing and certifying officer.
The second fatal accident occurred early Sunday morning on the Washer Pond public road in Mackenzie, Linden, Region Ten. This incident involved an unidentified pedestrian, believed to be homeless, who was struck and killed by a motorcar at around 04:40 hours.
The vehicle involved, a white motorcar with registration number PHH 2656, was being driven by a 26-year-old resident of Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Reports suggest that the vehicle was travelling south along the eastern side of Washer Pond road when it collided with the pedestrian. The driver, much like the case in Berbice, fled the scene, leaving the injured man on the roadway.
The pedestrian was later discovered by passers-by in an unconscious state and was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex. Upon arrival, the attending physician, Dr. Inniss, pronounced him dead.
Subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of the driver at his residence. The vehicle, which had visible damage to its front-right side, was seized by the police and taken to the Mackenzie Police Station. A breathalyser test conducted on the driver revealed a blood alcohol content of .94 percent and .95 percent which is significantly above the legal limit, indicating that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
These two tragic incidents highlight the growing concern over road safety in our country. The sudden loss of life due to road accidents is a devastating blow to the affected families and communities. In recent years, there has been a worrying increase in road fatalities, with pedestrians often being the most vulnerable.
The Guyana Police Force has consistently highlighted that the leading cause of road accidents in the country is reckless driving, often exacerbated by speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. Despite numerous public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, road fatalities continue to be a pressing issue.
As we mourn the loss of these two lives, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety. The responsibility lies not only with drivers but also with pedestrians and all road users to adhere to safety measures. It is a call to action for more robust enforcement of traffic laws and increased public awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.
These unfortunate incidents should serve as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance on our roads.
