A senior police officer has been placed under close arrest after he was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol in wake of an accident that claimed the life of a 64-year-old man.
The dead man has been identified as Conrad Alleyne, 64, of 33 Hague, West Coast Demerara (WCD), who was riding his bicycle when the accident occurred.
In a statement on the accident issued yesterday morning, police said it occurred around 7.20 on Wednesday along the Boerasirie Bridge, WCD Public Road.
In the statement, the police explained that the vehicle, PTT 992, a Toyota RAV4, which was involved in the accident was at the time being driven by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who is stationed in ‘D’ Division (West Demerara). While the police did not reveal the identity of the senior officer, sources identified him as Patrick Todd, who is the Officer-in-Charge of the No.2 Sub-Division.
According to the police, preliminary investigations have since revealed that Todd was travelling east along the northern side of the bridge when he suddenly felt an impact. It added that upon investigating, the officer saw the cyclist lying on the bridge with injuries about his body.
Alleyne was picked up in a semi-conscious condition and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he received medical attention before he was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He, however, succumbed on his way, the statement explained.
Following the report of the accident, an investigation was launched by another senior officer. During the initial stages of the investigation, Todd was administered a breathalyzer test and his breath alcohol content was found to be above the legal limit.
Relatives of Alleyne yesterday explained that he resided alone at his Hague home. They said the details of the accident were unclear to them as they only received a phone call subsequent to the accident.
One relative noted that Alleyne would always travel using his bicycle, no matter the distance. “That man would be riding from his home to Georgetown, daytime, night time he is always riding,” the relative explained.
