A distraught father has voiced his dissatisfaction with the investigation being conducted by police into a hit and run accident that left his son injured.
Goukaram (only name) told Stabroek News that his son, Sanjai Gowkarran, was injured after he was hit by a car on October 15 at New Road, Charity, Essequibo Coast. At the time, the man said, his son was on his way home but was struck by a car, bearing licence plate number PTT 8441. Witnesses told him it was speeding down the roadway.
According to the father, he was on his way home at the time and witnessed the driver throwing his son off of the vehicle and then speeding off without rendering assistance to Sanjai.
Goukaram told Stabroek News that his son spent several days in the hospital and had to undergo several surgeries, having suffered fractures in both legs.
Goukaram stated that since the accident, he is not satisfied with the police’s investigation, while noting that on one occasion he went to see the G Division Commander, who did not speak to him until the intervention of a regional official.
Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Chairman for Region Two, stated that Goukaram brought the matter to his attention, which led him to give a note to Goukaram to meet with the Commander of ‘G’ Division Khali Pareshram.
Some two days later, he met Goukaram once more and enquired about the accident and its progress and was made aware that the commander did not speak to him. He said this caused him to immediately call the Commander, who told him that he was going to make contact with Goukaram.
He later informed Goukaram that he should ensure that his cellular phone is on because the police would be making contact with him.
Commander Pareshram, however, said that efforts have been made by the police to contact Goukaram so that they can proceed with investigations into the accident, however, he claims that Goukaram and his son have not been cooperating.
Pareshram added that the day after the accident occurred, the driver, who is from the West Coast, was arrested. He stated that given the fact that Sanjai was hospitalised for some time, they had to release the driver on station bail.
Subsequent to Sanjai being discharged from the hospital, the Commander stated that the police had been unsuccessful in contacting either Sanjai or his father. He then denied the fact that Goukaram did not see him, while adding that two weeks ago he met with the father and caused a statement to be taken from him and from his son the said day. However, he admitted that he was contacted by the Regional Chairman as it related to the issue and that subsequent to the call he stated that he would immediately look into the matter and make contact with Goukaram.
Goukaram mentioned that he along with his son recently gave statements in relation to the accident. According to Pareshram, both parties were expected to be present at the scene of the accident last Saturday for the police to take measurements and determine whether charges ought to be brought against the driver. Goukaram made it clear that all he wants is justice for his son and not for the matter to be swept under the rug.
