The police yesterday said that notices of intended prosecution have been served on both drivers in Tuesday’s collision on Sheriff Street that resulted in the death of electrical contractor Carlton Smartt.
The police revealed in a statement that motor lorry GAH 5183, driven by 28-year-old Denzel Webb of Belfield Village, East Coast Demerara, was proceeding west along the southern drive lane of Dennis Street at a fast rate. Upon approaching Sheriff Street, Webb failed to comply with a stop sign and continued into the path of motor lorry GAH 8008, owned and driven by 26-year-old Emanuel Henry of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, which was heading north along Sheriff Street, also at a fast rate.
The collision caused both trucks to lose control. Motor lorry GAH 5183 spun clockwise onto Sheriff Street before veering west along the northern drive lane of Dennis Street. The left side of the lorry first struck motor car PAC 1090, driven by Dwayne Baird, a 44-year-old from Tucville, Georgetown, which was travelling east along the northern drive lane of Dennis Street. The truck then struck Smartt, who was walking east along the northern side of Dennis Street.
The impact caused Smartt to fall on the road where his body became trapped under the left rear wheel of GAH 5183. The truck finally came to a stop partly over a canal located on the northern side of Dennis Street, facing a northern direction.
Meanwhile, motor car PAC 1090 was pushed further into the northern side of Dennis Street, where its left side collided with the right front portion of motor car PZZ 1556, which was stationary and facing east on Dennis Street.
Simultaneously, motor lorry GAH 8008 continued traveling north along the western parapet of Sheriff Street, where its front portion struck the rear of motor car PAH 231, owned by Rajpatie Bacchus of Sheriff Street. The impact pushed motor car PAH 231 further north, causing it to collide with the front of motor lorry GAG 4306, owned by Tamesh Jagmohan of Kingston, Georgetown.
The chain reaction continued as motor lorry GAG 4306 was pushed further north, striking the rear of motor car PAG 4446, owned by Diosbel Perez, a 27-year-old Cuban national from Sheriff Street, Campbellville. PAG 4446 then collided with motor car PJJ 4775, owned by Martina Bacchus, also of Sheriff Street, Campbellville. Motor lorry GAH 8008 came to a final stop after crashing into a utility pole and a building known as the Green House. The Green House apartment complex housed approximately 15 to 20 Venezuelans. No one from the apartment complex was injured.
The police stated that measurements were taken, statements were gathered after contacting several drivers and vehicle owners and Notices of Intended Prosecution were prepared in duplicate and served on the drivers involved.
An ambulance was summoned to the scene, and Dr. Rampersaud examined Smartt, who was pronounced dead on the spot. His body was transported to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Both truck drivers sustained injuries. Webb, the driver of GAH 5183, was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and discharged. Henry, the driver of GAH 8008, remains hospitalized for further observation.
Smartt, an electrical contractor described as a hardworking and dedicated family man, was reportedly on his way to work when the accident occurred. A friend, Ramdeo Kumar, shared a touching tribute to Facebook;
“He was the epitome of a working-class father wanting the best for his children and family. Guyana is poorer for losing him. He was 10 electricians in one, and I trusted him with everything. I’m heartbroken for his young family.”
According to his family, Smartt had recently relocated from Linden due to travel constraints, He leaves to mourn his wife Anona Smartt, his 12-year-old son Jonathon Smartt, and his 4-year-old daughter Alaina Smartt. He was employed with Bassoo Construction for approximately 15 years, where he was known not just for his skills as an electrical contractor but for his dedication to his craft and commitment to providing for his family.
