A Canada-based Guyanese man, who had been here on holiday, was struck down by a minibus – reported to be speeding – just as he was crossing High Street last evening.
The dead man has been identified as Jimmy Veda Faudar, of Canada and Lombard Street Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.
The accident occurred at approximately 18.30 hrs.
Stabroek News was told the man had visited a shop on Princes Street and was returning to his Werk-en-Rust residence when he was struck down by the minibus. It is unclear if Faudar was intoxicated.
According to an eyewitness, the driver of the minibus was approaching the intersection of High and Princes streets at a fast rate and was unable to slow down after noticing Faudar crossing the road.
“He was going with too much of speed. He couldn’t have stopped,” the eyewitness said, while noting that Faudar died on the spot.
He explained that after being struck by the bus, Faudar landed several feet away from the point of impact.
Police arrived at the scene shortly and began their investigation.
Meanwhile, a resident of the area while at the scene pleaded with authorities to implement measures that will force drivers to slow down when approaching the junction.
“I have been living here for quite some time and this junction here I have witnessed more than one accidents. Something needs to be put in place to stop this from… happening…,”the woman said.
The woman added that she has witnessed accidents where people either died or were seriously injured. On many occasions, she pointed out, drivers fail to slow down at the intersection.
“When traffic coming from Georgetown, these drivers don’t stop to allow no traffic from there (west). As a pedestrian you have to stand up about half an hour sometimes just to cross the road… they don’t allow you to pass,” she lamented.
She stated that Faudar was at her shop and about five minutes after she heard he was involved in the accident.
According to her, he is no stranger to using the thoroughfare as he frequently crosses the road and is familiar with the traffic situation.
The driver of the mini bus was arrested and taken into police custody.