The families of Rudolph Bess and Hansranie Persaud who were killed last Sunday in an accident at Coverden, say they are waiting on answers from the police.
Bess, 23, of 220 Kaneville Gardens and Persaud, 16, of 417 Golden Grove, EBD were returning home on a motorcycle from a party at about 3:50am when the accident occurred. They both died on the spot.
An uncle of Bess, Phillip Bess told Stabroek News yesterday that since the accident they haven’t received any update from the police. He said that when they enquired about the investigation they were told that it was ongoing. The police said that they needed statements from the drivers and the passenger of the car that was involved in the collision. Jason Baskarran, 23, of Timehri Public Road, EBD and Yolanda Patterson, 42, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara were both hospitalized after the accident. Patterson’s husband, Joseph, had also sustained minor injuries.
The family of Persaud also complained of sluggish work being done by the police. According to Sunil Singh, an uncle of Persaud, they met with the police yesterday to give an additional statement on witnessing the autopsy. However, he said when they enquired if anyone is being charged, they were given the same response as the Bess family. “They (the police) said they have to get a statement from the woman in the hospital… I don’t know why they can’t go with two pieces of paper and take the statement,” the uncle opined. He added that the family is concerned about getting justice.
Stabroek News understands that Bhaskarran, who is accused of causing the fatal accident is not in custody.
Acting Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud, had told Stabroek News that investigations are ongoing and charges would be laid soon.
According to reports, Bess and Persaud, who was the pillion rider, were heading home on Bess’ motorcycle when the SUV, PHH 8034, driven by Baskarran slammed into them. Baskarran was driving on the eastern lane and his vehicle flipped several times and hit the Toyota Spacio, PMM 9768 that was being driven by Patterson, causing her to lose control of the car.
Bess and Persaud suffered injuries to their heads and bodies. Patterson sustained a laceration to her head, a fractured shoulder and whiplash injuries to her neck while Baskarran’s mother said that though her son showed no physical signs of injuries and appeared well, she was told that he suffered head injuries.
Joseph Patterson told Stabroek News that he and his wife were returning home from the airport when the accident occurred. He recounted that while travelling, he noticed a group of six or seven motorcyclists speeding on the road. His wife was driving while he was sitting in the front passenger seat.
In the vicinity of Coverden, Patterson said, he saw a bright light approaching and not long after he heard a loud impact. “It all happened within seconds, after the impact, the vehicle (Bhaskarran’s) lost (control) and toppled and came to us. After we got hit, I can recall our vehicle skating before it stopped,” the man recounted.
