—eight lorry occupants injured, two drivers in custody
A 47-year-old Number 67 Village woman died on Thursday afternoon after she was struck during an accident involving two motor lorries on the Number 67 Public Road, Corentyne, while eight occupants of one of the vehicles sustained minor injuries.
The dead woman has been identified as Priya Darshan Hunte, called “Darshnie”, of Lot 95B, Number 67 Village.
Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus confirmed that the accident involved motor lorries GAF 6180 and GAE 8823 and Hunte, who was a pedestrian.
Police said she sustained injuries and was taken to the Number 75 Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Eight occupants of motor lorry GAF 6180 were also taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The drivers of both lorries remain in police custody assisting with the investigation.
Alicia Rashdhari, an eyewitness and neighbour of the deceased, said she was at a nearby house where a Hindu religious ceremony was being held when she heard the sound of screeching tyres.
“I ran to the road and saw Darshnie had gotten hit. She was bloodied, but she was breathing,” Rashdhari recalled.
She said she appealed for assistance and a man helped to take the injured woman to the hospital.
“He took her inside and I followed. When we came outside, I realised I was covered in blood, so I left for home to change. When I returned, I was told that she had died,” Rashdhari related.
The woman said she then went to the home of Hunte’s father to offer assistance.
According to Rashdhari, one of the drivers left the scene after the accident but was pursued by young men from the village, who intercepted and blocked the vehicle.
She further alleged that the driver of the other lorry had stopped to allow Hunte to cross the road but that the other vehicle overtook two vehicles before striking her.
Rashdhari said she was uncertain why Hunte crossed the road after leaving the religious ceremony since she lived on the same side of the roadway.
Investigations are continuing.
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