Police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred yesterday at about 19:30 hours, on the Timehri Public Road involving a blue and white zone 42 pitbull minibus, BYY 7852, owned by Randolph Moriah of Turkeyen, Georgetown and driven by Godfrey Collins, age 34 years, of Middle Walk, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara; and pedestrian Gao Zhen Jin, a 59-year-old Chinese national.
Enquiries disclosed that the minibus BYY 7852 was proceeding east along the northern side of the northern carriageway of the Timehri Public Road at a fast rate. Whilst in the vicinity of the roundabout, the driver failed to slow down and turn left, and instead drove straight across the road into the Courtyard Marriott compound (owned by Cardinal Investments Inc.) which is situated on the eastern side of the road. The compound is secured with a galvanised sheet fence.
The minibus ploughed through the fence and collided with the pedestrian Jin who was standing facing north in front of the building.
As a result of the collision, the pedestrian fell and sustained injuries about his body. He was picked up by the Police and public-spirited citizens, in an unconscious condition, and escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, East Bank Demerara, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, by a doctor on duty.
The body was then escorted to the Merriman Funeral Home in Georgetown for storage, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The driver in is custody, as investigations continue.