The country’s most recent road fatality, Julian Leitch was on his way to watch the Diwali Motorcade on Tuesday when he was fatally struck down on Duncan Street.
This is according to a sister of the deceased, who spoke with Stabroek News last evening. The sister, who opted to remain unnamed related that Leitch, 47, was last seen at around 6:00 hrs by his mother just before leaving the Lot ‘C’ Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park residence he shared with his parents. She explained that Leitch had spent the entire day home but later left the house with the intention of going to see the annual Diwali Motorcade when he was struck down by a vehicle driven by attorney Keshia Chase.
The dead man’s sister related that the family only learnt of her brother’s demise after her mother called his phone but instead of Leitch answering a policeman answered and related what had transpired.
She said that both her parents, who are in their eighties are struggling to cope with the loss of their son, while describing him as “a very loving and caring brother and son.”
The family has not yet been able to view the body but the sister expressed their intention to do so before the post-mortem examination which is scheduled for tomorrow.
Leitch leaves to mourn his parents and several siblings.
Amidst reports that Chase has been released on bail, this newspaper sought confirmation from Traffic Chief, Dion Moore. Moore noted that although the offence is a bailable one he cannot confirm whether or not Chase has been granted bail. He further explained that such information has not yet reached him, but stated that based on the last word he received, investigations were ongoing and Chase was still in custody.
Stabroek News was told that Leitch had sustained serious head injuries which caused massive bleeding. Despite the efforts of the doctors and the emergency room staff at the GPHC on Tuesday evening he died. Persons at the hospital said that it was the attorney who took the injured man to the hospital in her car around 18:50 hours. At the time the man was unconscious.
It was related that the attorney recounted to the police that at the time of the accident Leitch was wearing earphones when he walked into the path of the vehicle and was struck down.
According to a statement by the police, “Enquiries disclosed from the driver of the car … that she was proceeding east at a normal rate of speed when she suddenly saw the pedestrian on the centre of the road in front of her vehicle but because of the closeness, he was struck down. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died at 20:45 hrs whilst receiving treatment. The body is presently at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver is in police custody assisting with the investigation”.
