A 21-year-old butcher was battling for his life up to press time last night after being struck by a car which was being driven by a policeman on Thomas Road.
Gilbert Wharton of Laing Avenue sustained severe injuries about his body, Georgetown Public Hospital sources said. Up to press time, Wharton was being treated by doctors and according to reports, was in a critical condition. The driver of the car was taken into police custody.
Wharton had left work and was on his way home when the incident occurred just after 8 pm on Thomas Road in front of Camp Ayanganna. He and his co-worker Omesh Ramdan, were on their bicycles heading west while the car was heading in the opposite direction. Ramdan told Stabroek News that he was riding in front of Wharton. “We been riding slow and in the corner,” he said. He said that the car, PHH 6610, was attempting to overtake another vehicle and in the process of doing so, hit Wharton.
The driver, who is said to be attached to the Criminal Investigations Department of the police force, took Wharton to the Georgetown Hospital. Upset friends of Wharton called for justice to be served while expressing little confidence in the police since the driver was one of their own.
When Wharton’s relatives were informed of the incident, they rushed to the hospital. In tears, his grandmother said that she had raised him since he was a baby. “I mine my grandson with no mother and father,” she cried. “Give me justice, Lord,” she prayed loudly in front of the hospital.
The driver of the car remained at the hospital but police later took him away.
