Police are investigating an accident that occurred on Wednesday night around 20:00hrs on the Bee Hive Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which claimed the life of 78-year-old Byron Lewis.
The accident involved three motor cars, namely PKK 3124, owned and driven by Ronis Lewis, a 48-year-old mechanic of Kwakwani Village; PPP 5769, owned and driven by Byron Lewis, a 78-year-old pensioner of Kwakwani Village (now deceased); and PJJ 8978, driven by Beesham Persaud, a 33-year-old carpenter of Hope Lowlands, East Coast Demerara.
According to Ronis Lewis, he was towing PPP 5769 (with Byron Lewis behind the wheel) and proceeding East along the northern driving lane of Bee Hive Public Road when he observed PJJ 8978, which was heading West on the southern driving lane at a fast rate. Lewis claimed that PJJ 8978 overtook a vehicle which was also proceeding west and ended up in his path. Lewis said he tried to avoid a collision by pulling further north of the road, but PJJ 8978 collided with the front portion of PPP 5769.
Both drivers (Beesham Persaud and Byron Lewis) received injuries on their bodies and were taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital by public-spirited citizens. Byron Lewis was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty, and the driver of PJJ 8978 (Beesham Persaud) was treated for minor injuries to his body.
Both PJJ 8978 and PPP 5769 were lodged at the Cove and John Police Station Compound to be examined by a Licensing and Certifying Officer. The drivers were asked to produce their Driver’s Licenses and documents pertaining to the use of their respective vehicles, which were found to be valid and in force.
Beesham Persaud is currently in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation. The police are urging all drivers to exercise caution on the roadways and follow all traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents.
