A 21-year-old motorcyclist was killed and his passenger injured following a collision with a motor van along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on Wednesday evening.
The dead man has been identified as Christopher Thomas of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. His 24-year-old pillion rider, of Grand Sand Road, East Bank Demerara, remains hospitalised.
According to preliminary police investigations, Thomas was riding motorcycle CR 8010 along the Coverden Public Road with the pillion rider when the motorcycle collided with motor van PAG 8745, which was being driven by a 39-year-old Chinese national.
Investigators said the van was travelling along the roadway and, upon reaching the entrance to a worksite compound, allegedly made a right turn into the compound without stopping. The motorcycle, which police said was allegedly travelling at a high rate of speed, collided with the vehicle.
The impact threw both the rider and passenger onto the roadway, causing them to sustain multiple injuries.
They were transported to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where Thomas was pronounced dead. The pillion rider was admitted for medical treatment.
Police said a breathalyser test administered to the van driver recorded a reading of 0.07 micrograms, below the legal limit. The driver remains in police custody as investigations continue.
