A 75-year-old pedal cyclist was struck down and killed by a speeding car while he was on his way home at around 16:40 hrs on Sunday.
Deowraj Doodnauth called Daniel of Lot 165 B Number 68 Village, was returning from a shop when he was hit by the car.
Stabroek News understands that Doodnauth was riding in the corner of the road facing incoming traffic. However, the driver of the speeding vehicle lost control as he came around the Number 68 Village turn and struck down Doodnauth.
An eyewitness said that from all indications the driver appeared to be travelling at 100 miles per hour. He said that when the car hit the pensioner, his cycle was stuck to the front of the car while Doodnauth pitched a few feet away from the point of impact. The eyewitness said the car did not come to a complete stop until it had hit and damaged two culverts on private property.
When Stabroek News visited Doodnauth’s home yesterday, his grieving widow was crying incessantly.
His daughter-in-law Sunita (only name given) said she was at home when she heard the screeching of the brakes on the road. She said she ran out to the road where residents told her that her father-in-law had been hit down. Sunita said she saw her father-in-law on the public road in a motionless state and checked for his pulse but there was none. “The residents said to me he is dead but I still checked,” she said.
She added that as they waited on the police to arrive, the driver of the black car tried to escape but residents held him. “A relative of the driver [then] tried to fight the men that hold the driver,” she said, but she held on to the driver and the relative calmed down.
A daughter of the deceased, Reshma Doodnauth, said the family of the driver went to them family yesterday morning and to offer sympathy and also asked if they would be “willing to settle.” They did not give a definite answer as family from abroad would have to have an input on the decision.
Reshma said her father had gone to the shop to purchase a few items. He had celebrated his birthday on Saturday and wanted to buy things for his grandchildren. The daughter, along with an eyewitness, indicated to this publication that Doodnauth had not consumed any alcoholic beverage. “He was a sober man when the accident occurred,” the eyewitness said.
Doodnauth was described as a hardworking and caring individual who was well known and respected in the community.
Doodnauth is survived by his five children, wife, grandchildren siblings and other relatives and friends.
The driver of the car is in police custody assisting with the investigations.
