Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud yesterday morning succumbed at a private hospital to injuries he sustained in an accident almost three weeks ago at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
His death was confirmed by several senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force yesterday.
Persaud was hopsitalised after the accident on February 5, when, around 11pm, he reportedly lost control of his car and slammed into a utility pole. It was understood that he suffered a tyre blow out.
He was rushed to Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital, where he was admitted in a critical condition up to last Saturday before being transferred to the Woodlands Hospital, where he died.
Traffic Chief Deon Moore had recently confirmed to Stabroek News that an investigation was launched into the accident but stated that ranks were unable to obtain a statement from Persaud due to his condition. He had also indicated that there were no eyewitnesses to the accident due to the time it transpired and the area where it occurred.
Efforts to confirm if the senior rank was under the influence of alcohol proved futile since it was understood that a breathalyser test was never conducted.
Persaud, a career police officer who had served as Commander for the ‘D’ and ‘C’ divisions, sustained more than five broken ribs due to the accident. He also suffered from a heart condition. At the time of the accident, he was on annual leave.
While it was unclear where he was heading at the time, many anticipated that it was to the Criminal Investigation Department’s social, which was held the same night at the Gravity Night Club.
