The businessman who fled the scene after crashing the car in which his employee lost his life on Saturday night has turned himself in to police and negotiated a compensation agreement with the dead man’s family.
However, Buddy (only name given), the owner of a Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara (E.C.D) business, is still expected to face charges over the accident, which is still under investigation. He fled Carifesta Avenue after he slammed his Toyota Allion, PNN 3607, into the tray of a truck which was at the time reversing from the Georgetown Softball Cricket Ground and subsequently ran into the ditch opposite the Burrowes School of Arts. His employee, Mohammed Zaheed Abraham, of Lot 218 De Souza Street, Better Hope, E.C.D., was in the passenger seat at the time of the accident and died before he could be pulled from the vehicle.
When Stabroek News yesterday spoke to the dead man’s sister, Shakela Khan, she disclosed that the driver, in the company of his lawyer, turned himself in at the Brickdam Police Station. She said there, relatives met with the man and a settlement was made. It was agreed that the victim’s wife, Neetu Singh would be compensated.
Khan explained that her sister-in-law is unemployed and that her brother was the sole provider for his family. As a result, ‘Buddy’ agreed to assist financially in taking care of the dead man’s wife and three children, ages 17, 16 and 11.
According to a legal source, the man would have likely been placed on bail and although the family has decided to accept compensation, the matter is a criminal offence and police would have to lay charges.
The source stated that in such a case, the file would usually be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and charges against the suspect would be instituted. It was noted that the mere fact that the man implicated in this matter has offered compensation serves as an indicator that he has accepted blame for what has happened. That, the source pointed out, is the civil aspect of any matter. However, the criminal part is pending since a life was lost.
“If anyone settles things, what message will be sent to the public? There was a traffic violation and many factors will come into play. For example, if he was driving carelessly. It is a major traffic accident and, as such, police still have to do a thorough investigation, which includes taking statements,” the source explained.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination which was conducted on the body of Abraham revealed that he suffered brain damage and injury to the spinal cord. “They said that he brain damage and that his spinal cord burst,” Khan said.
An eyewitness told this newspaper that Abraham was breathing but his pulse was lost after about half an hour when firefighters checked before he could be rescued. They were able to peel the mangled metal apart using a special instrument and remove the man’s body.
