Seventy-five-year-old Patricia Cornelius has died after being struck by a vehicle driven by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer nearly two weeks ago, with the officer still not in police custody as the family seeks answers over whether charges will now be brought.
Cornelius died at around 7 p.m. today, after spending almost two weeks in hospital following the September 1 collision on Seventh Street, Gardens.
The elderly woman was struck at about 7:07 a.m. while crossing the road. According to her family, the vehicle was travelling at high speed and swerved before hitting her.
Cornelius suffered a fractured skull, broken collarbone, fractured rib and other injuries in the collision. She remained unconscious from the time of the accident until her death.
Her family said she underwent major surgery today and, despite initially being prepared for discharge, remained unconscious following the procedure before her condition deteriorated and she died that evening.
Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh confirmed that the vehicle involved was being driven by a GDF officer and said legal advice would have to be sought.
However, the family says the officer was released from the scene on the day of the crash and, to their knowledge, has not been taken into police custody since.
With Cornelius’ death, the family is now questioning what action will be taken against the GDF officer whose vehicle struck her and whether the fatal outcome will result in criminal charges.
The family had previously raised concerns about the investigation, including claims that investigators told them a civilian camera did not clearly capture the collision because the impact occurred in a blind spot.
They were also told that investigators were relying on footage from the Penny Lane area, which the family said was approximately 300 to 400 yards from the crash site.
The family has since sought additional footage from a nearby business and has questioned why they had not been contacted with updates on the investigation.
Cornelius celebrated her 75th birthday on September 2, the day after she was struck.
Her death has now transformed the September 1 collision from a serious injury case into a fatality, leaving her family demanding clarity on what happens next and whether the GDF officer who was behind the wheel will face charges.
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