A Sophia man died on Sunday afternoon after he was allegedly struck down by a truck along the Leonora, West Coast Demerara Public Road and his family is now demanding justice.
Dead is Romel Carter, 39, of Lot 498 ‘D’ Field, Sophia.
The accident occurred around 1.30 pm last Sunday while Carter was walking along the public road in close proximity to the Leonora Police Station.
Carter’s remains were only identified days later after the police issued a picture seeking the public’s assistance in determining his identity.
Relatives yesterday told Stabroek News that Carter was reported missing since last Sunday. They said they only learnt that he was a victim of an accident after his picture surfaced online.
The driver of the truck, which carried licence plate GWW 5690, was arrested and subsequently released on $100,000 station bail.
When contacted yesterday, Traffic Chief Linden Isles said that the investigation is ongoing. Once completed, Isles said, the police will seek legal advice.
Carter’s siblings, Kempton Carter and Carrin Carter, yesterday said that they learnt that the driver was scheduled to appear in court on Monday to face charges in relation to the documents he produced after the accident. Isles, however, explained that after the accident the driver produced only photocopies of his documents. As a result, he was scheduled to be charged. He added that the charges were “thrown out” on Monday when the driver showed up for court and produced his original documents.
He is yet to be charge in relation to causing the death of Carter, the officer said.
At the Kitty home of the dead man’s brother yesterday, family members were busy making preparations for his funeral, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
Kempton said since the accident limited information has been provided to the family by the police.
He said in order to determine what transpired leading up to his brother’s death, he and other relatives had to visit the scene themselves. Luckily, they met a witness. “He (witness) told me that he was riding and he see my brother (Romel) was walking alongside the corner on the road. He say he (Romel) was going fah cross the road and a canter truck was coming towards he and the canter truck mussy just reach up straight to he right away and he go fah turn back fah avoid collision… he seh me brother swing back now and the big part in front the truck like hit he,” Kempton related.
Meanwhile, Carrin said prior to his demise, Romel was at her home in Leonora. She said he left around 11.30 pm on November 30th, without informing anyone where he was heading.
However, after time elapsed and he did not return, Carrin said family members began to search for Romel. However, their efforts were futile.
“…I ask me neighbour if he see my brother, which way he gone fah, if he go to town or if he jump in a bus by heself and meh neighbour seh he jump in a bus going to Parika side. So we start looking fah he… myself and my nephew, we went straight down to Parika and we looking. Call meh aunty, dah is the one in Leonora, to find out if he go there. Nobody ain’t [see] him. So we continue looking,” Carrin related.
She said after 24 hours passed, a missing person report was filed at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.
“…I went into Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station the Monday night (December 2). I mek a report by the police station. Tell them that meh brother missing and suh. They ask wa is he description. I show them a pitcha of he. I tell them wah clothes and suh he did wearing. They ask how old is he, I tell them and the police seh okay, they will send out a message around to all the station and suh, that if anybody you know, know anything they gone contact we,” Carrin added.
The family is calling for the driver to be charged at soon as possible. They said since the accident, neither the driver nor his family has even approached them to offer any remorse.
They also expressed their fears that the driver might flee now that he is out on bail and they might never receive any justice.
“Like they (police) ain’t doing nothing… is just like this guy just knock down a person and they don’t care nothing and the police ain’t doing they job as far as we concern,” Kempton noted.
An autopsy conducted on Monday showed that Romel died as a result of multiple injuries.
