The second victim in Friday evening’s fatal crash along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, has been identified as Royston Holder, though his relatives were up to yesterday afternoon still to formally confirm this.
Bridget Alleyne called ‘Sister Cash,’ 58, of Lot 101 Barclay Street, Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara and Holder were killed when the minibus they were travelling in crashed into a lorry laden with logs.
They were both pronounced dead on arrival at the Mackenzie Hospital.
The driver of the minibus, Peter Alleyne called ‘Brother Peter,’ who is Bridget’s husband, sustained minor injuries. He is a patient at the Linden Hospital Complex.
The Guyana Police Force said in a press release that enquiries into the incident which occurred around 19:30 hrs on Friday revealed that motor lorry GMM 6461, transporting logs, was proceeding west along the highway, when minibus, BVV 3782 which was travelling behind crashed into the rear of the lorry in the vicinity of Moblissa.
However, Stabroek News had previously reported that the Route 72 minibus was heading to the city when the lights from an oncoming vehicle reportedly blinded the driver, causing him to swerve and slam into the back of an unlit, parked, truck containing logs.
The entire roof of the minibus was torn off in the collision.
The police said the drivers of both vehicles were given breathalyzer tests and no trace of alcohol was recorded.
The driver of the lorry is assisting the police with investigations.
Rubyanna Alleyne, daughter of Peter and Bridget said the news of the accident and the loss of her mother have been a shock to the entire family.
Rubyanna, who resides with her parents, explained that she was at home preparing dinner when she received a call from her brother informing her of the crash. “He did just come up from that side [Linden], so he get to hear about it first and he call and tell me,” she said.
She immediately left for Linden but by the time she arrived on the scene, her mother’s body had already been taken to the mortuary.
Rubyanna said it was customary for her mother to accompany her father on trips and she would work as the conductress of the bus, whenever she was not busy.
At the time of the accident, they were on their way home.
Bridget sustained massive head injuries—reportedly as a result of being hit by a log—a broken hand and foot and fractured skull.
Up to late yesterday afternoon, no relatives of Holder had turned up at the hospital to formally identify his remains.
Many drivers have complained about the use of off-road LED lights on vehicles. Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force Jairam Ramlakhan, while acting in the post of Traffic Chief recently told this newspaper that the Traffic Department is working towards reducing their use.
