Eighty-year-old Adam Barakat, the only survivor of last Friday’s vehicular collision along the Jib Public Road, which claimed three lives, including that of a six-month-old infant, remains hospitalised.
This was confirmed by Commander of ‘G’ Division Khali Pareshram, who told Stabroek News that Barakat was still admitted at the Suddie Public Hospital yesterday afternoon.
When questioned about whether Barakat may face charges, Pareshram noted that the investigation is still incomplete. He said the police have not yet obtained a statement from Barakat. He said once this is done, a file will be compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Stabroek News had previously reported that the accident occurred around 2.35 pm last Friday, when the two vehicles, a car and a pick-up collided while approaching the bridge connecting Jib and Paradise, Essequibo Coast.
Barakat, a resident of Bounty Hall, Essequibo Coast, was the only occupant of the pick-up.
The car was driven by health care worker Corwin Paul, 38, who was accompanied by Tristiana Joseph, 19, and her six-month-old son Jevon Joseph.
After the collision, they were all rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where Paul, of Windsor Castle, Essequibo Coast, and the Joseph infant were subsequently pronounced dead on arrival.
Tristiana Joseph, of Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, was also taken to the hospital, where she was admitted in the intensive care unit in critical condition. She, however, succumbed later that evening.
This newspaper was previously informed that preliminary investigations indicated that the pick-up, GPP 5205, was travelling east along the northern lane of the road, while the car, PSS 2174, was proceeding in the opposite direction. Paul, it is claimed, was speeding and lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn. As a result, he collided head on with the pick-up.
