Alleged drinking and driving and drag racing ended fatally for an East Coast Demerara (ECD) teenager during the wee hours of yesterday morning.
Dead is Christopher Baichan, 19, of Oleander Gardens.
According to reports, the young man was seated in the passenger side of his friend’s car, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a fence.
The driver was said to be a participant in regular drag racing events.
When contacted yesterday Baichan’s family said they were not in a position to speak.
Police in a press release said that the accident occurred sometime around 1:50 am on the main road at Sparendaam also on the ECD.
The police stated that their investigation revealed that Baichan was the occupant of a car that was allegedly being driven at a fast rate, when the driver lost control and collided with a fence. Baichan, the police said, suffered injuries and succumbed while receiving medical treatment. The driver is currently in police custody and was tested and found to be above the legal limit for alcohol consumption.
The drag racing event was being planned over a number of days as evidence from social media sites showed persons prepping their cars and one user even making a video shortly before the event.
Stabroek News understands that the events, planned at various locations across the city attract young bikers as well, who along with cars face off opponents and win bragging rights and bottles of alcohol. The police have been accused of not cracking down on these events.
Baichan had won a number of awards at various jet skiing competitions.
