A teenager died yesterday afternoon after the truck in which he was a passenger hit a utility pole and toppled on Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, in the vicinity of Guyana Livestock Development Authority.
Dead is 19-year-old Glenroy James of Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Police said the fatal incident, which occurred around 13:45 hrs yesterday, involved motor lorry GAD 6445, owned and driven by Mahendra Surujpersaud, a 20-year-old resident of Agriculture Road. There were two occupants in the lorry at the time – James and 32-year-old Anand Motielall, both of Agriculture Road.
Enquiries disclosed that the lorry was proceeding south along Agriculture Road when, the driver alleged, its right front wheel hit a 25-foot pole that was across the western side of the road. The vehicle toppled several times and then collided with a utility pole on the western parapet. The driver and occupants were thrown out of the lorry.
James, who was unconscious, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by the police, while public-spirited citizens conveyed Surujpersaud and Motielall. James was pronounced dead on arrival, but Surujpersaud and Motielall were treated for bruises about their bodies and later discharged.
James’ body is at Memorial Gardens Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
His stepfather, who did not wish to be named, told Stabroek News yesterday that he had resided with him for approximately six months. James had mentioned on Saturday evening that he was going to the mall with his friends, the man explained. He added that James left home in a car. However, he understood that they later switched from the car to the truck. At the time of the incident, they were on their way home. The stepfather said a neighbour notified him about an incident on the road and he went to the scene, where he saw James’ motionless body.
