Traffic Chief Superinten-dent Dion Moore says ranks are wrapping up their investigations into a fatal accident on Duncan Street on November 10 after which the matter will be engaging the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He said that the length of the probe should not be seen as sloth on the part of ranks but rather their attempt to ensure that a complete investigation is done.
Julian Leitch age 47 was struck down on Duncan Street by a vehicle driven by attorney Keisha Chase. He had just left his Lot ‘C’ Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park residence and was heading out to see the annual Diwali Motorcade. The accident would have occurred sometime after 6 pm.
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”.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday Moore said that the matter is in its final stages of investigation and once complete a file will be sent to the DPP for advice.
Told that the family is concerned at the length of time being taken in the probe, Moore said that “it is not that there would be a slothfulness in the investigation…but we want (that) when we send the file for advice that it (the investigation) had been properly completed and that after the advice has been given that we don’t have to do further investigations”.
Asked if in a causing death by dangerous driving case it is the usual practice to send the file to the DPP, he responded that all such matters will be referred to the DPP, “but there are cases where …we sent the file with the information that you have and for the DPP to advise you on the way forward and in some cases we do a complete investigation and then we sent the file”.
Moore said that it is sad to know that a life has been lost but “we the members of the Guyana Police Force want to assure the family that we are doing a thorough investigation and the way forward will be determined based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions”.
The dead man’s sister who did not not her name mentioned, told Stabroek News on Tuesday that both she and her parents are upset over the length of time the investigation has taken.
She further stated that while she continues to receive little information from the police as it relates to matter, she was informed that the file is still to be taken to the Office of the DPP for advice.
Additionally, the woman revealed that representatives of Chase had contacted the family. However, she pointed out that she chose to stay out of that interaction since it proved to be too much for her to deal with.
Leitch died shortly after reaching the hospital. He sustained serious head injuries. The attorney was detained and later released on station bail.
