An Upper Corentyne pensioner lost his life on Tuesday evening, after a lorry collided with his jeep as he attempted to turn onto his bridge at Number 47 Village, Corentyne.
Dead is Narinedatt Lohar, 71, of Lot 23, Number 47 Village, Corentyne.
The man’s wife narrowly escaped the accident, as she had just gotten out of the vehicle to open their gate. The driver of the lorry has since pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and has been remanded to prison until sentencing.
According to information gathered, Lohar was proceeding south along the Number 47 Village Public Road in his jeep, PJJ 25, around 6:20 pm, when it is alleged that lorry, GPP 2369, which was being driven by Rayward Singh, 49, of Lot 70, Number 52 Village, Corentyne, collided with the front of Lohar’s vehicle.
According to information gathered, Lohar had gotten to the entryway of his yard, when he made a right turn heading onto his bridge. His wife, who was also in the vehicle, then exited to open the gate and it was then that Singh attempted to overtake him while driving at a fast rate, which resulted in the front left of the lorry colliding with the right side of Lohar’s jeep.
As a result, Lohar sustained major head injuries and was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital in an unconscious state. He was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.
Meanwhile, Singh, who was immediately arrested, was given a breathalyser test, which revealed that he was above the prescribed limit.
He appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Magistrate Alex Moore remanded Singh and reserved sentencing for June 19, when he will reappear.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be carried out on Lohar’s body tomorrow at the Skeldon Hospital mortuary.
