A Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara (ECD) couple is now confined to bed after they were struck off their bicycle by a car allegedly driven by a former policeman one month ago and their family is calling for justice.
Injured are Naresh Chunilall, 23, a fisherman and Priya Mangra, 20, of Lot 42 Pigeon Island, Chateau Margot.
Sunday Stabroek understands that the accident occurred around 1pm on January 29 along the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Public Road, ECD.
At the time, Chunilall and Mangra were crossing the public road on a bicycle. Mangra was being towed by Chunilall. They were on their way to make a purchase at a supermarket when they were allegedly struck by car, HC 257, which was proceeding east along the public road. The car was allegedly driven by a former police officer, who presently works as a taxi driver.
As a result of the accident, Chunilall sustained a broken leg and arm, and injuries to his hip. Mangra’s foot was broken in three places.
The couple has been confined to bed since the accident, unable to do anything for themselves since they have steel in their legs.
When Sunday Stabroek visited the couple at their home yesterday, Chunilall explained that he does not remember anything about the accident since he lost consciousness after being struck down.
“The man knock we so fast, we nah know back nothing. The thing happen so fast, me can’t know nothing,” he said.
Chunilall said both him and Mangra regained consciousness two days after the crash. They were hospitalised for one week.
Sunday Stabroek understands that a police investigation into the matter is ongoing. A source close to the investigation said that there has been a delay since the police are waiting on the couple to recover so that they can revisit the scene.
To date, the driver has not been charged.
Chunilall’s mother, Arondhatee Lall called ‘Pinky’, related to Sunday Stabroek that prior to the accident, her son worked and maintained his family.
She said that she is now tasked with taking care of the couple which has been difficult.
“They can’t do nothing fah themselves…If them want go toilet somebody got to hold them fah go. The only thing them mussy can do is try sit up and eat,” Lall said.
The couple has a five-year-old child, who is currently staying with Mangra’s mother.
Lall related that she has been finding it hard to cope over the past month, especially financially.
On the other hand, she said, the driver is roaming the streets freely.
“The man nah get charge or nothing. Them [police] seh the story gone at DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions]…how me geh fah understand when them two feel good them got to go show the spot now…The man on the road wuking. The man mek up he car,” Lall explained.
The woman is calling on the police to thoroughly investigate the accident so that the driver can face the full force of the law.
“…All wah me want is fah get justice. Leh me get some sorta justice outa this story because I can’t pay fah this man deh pun the road and watch how them people this lay down pun this bed all the time and me nah hear nothing propa,” she said.
The couple would welcome any form of assistance from the public. They can be contacted on telephone numbers 220 1571 or 660 7762.
