A 46-year old man died on the spot after a speeding car collided with him on New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop yesterday. The driver of the vehicle is in police custody assisting with investigations.
Dead is Motie-Ram Chatterpaul, of 117 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD). According to a police press release, they are investigating the fatal accident which claimed the life of Chatterpaul. The release said the accident occurred around 6.30 am yesterday and investigations so far have revealed that Chatterpaul was attempting to cross the roadway when he was struck down by the vehicle.
He was later pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). A post mortem examination performed on his body revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries including a fractured skull and numerous broken bones.
According to the dead man’s younger brother, Bridgelall Chatterpaul, his brother was at the side of the road waiting to cross when he was struck down by the speeding car. He said “…Dis man [the driver of the car] a speed down the road and like he lose control and start brakes up before he knock Motie.”
He added that after the car collided with the elder Chatterpaul he was sent flying a few feet in the air and landed face down. “When he fall down on he face he went still breathing and we run out pon the road but by the time we get there he been already dead,” the grieving man related.
Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that the man was standing at the side of the road and was waiting to cross when he saw the speeding car. They said he moved backwards to avoid it, but was still hit.
“These drivers, especially the bus drivers and some car drivers, do take this road and make it race track and every morning does be speeding like them own it and the police nah say nothing,” an eyewitness told this newspaper.
When Stabroek News visited the dead man’s home, many relatives gathered and sang his praises describing him as a helpful person who was always willing.
Motie-Ram Chatterpaul was said to be mentally challenged and lived with his elderly mother whom he cared for. He never worked nor married, nor did he have any children, according to relatives.
The relatives of the dead man want justice for him noting that he lost his life senselessly and unnecessarily.
