Biker dies at Sheriff St junction after breaching traffic light

Kwesi Griffith
Kwesi Griffith

Kwesi Griffith, a 42-year-old motorcyclist, died on Sunday night after he breached the traffic light at the junction of Sheriff Street and the Rupert Craig Highway and collided with motor car PAB 5158

Griffith, of Lot 601 Block ‘X’ Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara was riding a blue motorcycle bearing registration CK 7323. The car was owned and driven by a 25-year-old resident of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden. A police press release said the 42-year-old motorcyclist was killed at around 11:56 pm.

Police investigations have so far revealed that the driver of PAB 5158 was proceeding west along the southern carriageway on the Rupert Craig Highway at a fast rate with the ‘green traffic light’ in his direction, while the motorcyclist was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the road with the ‘red traffic light’ signal in his direction. As both drivers approached the Rupert Craig Highway and Sheriff Street intersection, the motorcyclist breached the red traffic light and turned right onto Sheriff Street into the path of the oncoming motorcar.

As a result, the left front portion of the car came into contact with with the motorcycle and its rider.  Griffith was flung some distance into the air, and then onto the road surface, where he sustained injuries about his body. The ambulance service was summoned and a doctor from the Georgetown Public Hospital pronounced the rider dead at the scene of the accident. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the car and no trace of alcohol was found on his breath. A notice of intended prosecution was prepared in duplicate and the original was served on the driver, the police said.